Frank Jackson Huffman Jr.

With hearts both heavy and joyful, the family of Frank Jackson Huffman Jr. announces his peaceful death at home Monday evening, Dec. 19, 2011.

Born April 2, 1944, Frank grew up in Steele, completing high school at the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tenn., in 1962. He graduated from Duke University with a BA in History with Honors in 1966, and received his PhD in History from Yale University in 1974.

Frank was an instructor of history at the University of Houston from 1970 until 1976, when he moved to Memphis and joined the Crump Companies as Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer. He remained with Crump and its successor companies for many years, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Communications for Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., until his death. During his career he also served as Director of Corporate Communications and Human Resources at eOn Communications; and as Director of the Memphis-based Day Foundation.

Active in the Memphis community, Frank was a member of Second Baptist Church from 1976 until his death. He joyously sang tenor in the choir; was the founding Director of the Memphis Interfaith Hospitality Network (MIHN) at Second Baptist; and served at different points as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and an enthusiastic Lassie Girls Basketball coach. Frank was also Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors of Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South, and the former President of the Memphis Chapter of the national Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Mr. Huffman leaves his beloved wife of 44 years, Katharine Phillips Huffman, and their three children and their families: Katharine Huffman, John Rusciolelli, and children Dominic Frank and Mary Katharine; Dora Huffman Mullenix, Jason Mullenix, and children Joshua Phillips, Katharine Rebekah, and Noah Jackson; and Frank Jackson Huffman III, and Abby May.

He is also survived by his sister Martha Huffman;

His mother-in-law Katharine Aiken Phillips; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and in-laws.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank Jackson Huffman Sr., and Dora Coppedge Huffman; and by his sister Rebekah Huffman Dietrich.

Frank's greatest joys were, as he put it, "In these family relationships." He loved reading, singing, traveling, golfing with good friends, and attending the activities and events of children and grandchildren. Even in the final days of his life, Frank spoke frequently of his gratitude for the constant and loving support of family and many friends. He asked that his appreciation be conveyed for the role that so many played in making the presence of God so real for him during his year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Frank's family will remember him always with great love and delight, and with appreciation for his living exemplification of a favorite verse from the Bible: "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8.

The family asks that memorial gifts be sent to Memphis Interfaith Hospitality Network, Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South, the Hatley Fund at Second Baptist Church, or Methodist Hospice. Visitation will take place at Memphis Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. today. The funeral service will be held at Second Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Thursday with burial at Elmwood Cemetery.