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Jerome (Jerry) Huff, Sr., went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, December 19, 2009. Jerry was born August 6, 1936 to Walter & Elfrieda Huff.

Jerry grew up in Evansville, West-Side and graduated from Reitz High School in 1954. On October 17, 1959 he married the love of his life, Phyllis Kleinknecht. Together they spent the last 50 years devoted to each other. Jerry worked tirelessly for 40 years as a plumber for Local 136 Plumbers & Steamfitters until he retired. During his years as a plumber he also farmed and tended his beloved horses and cattle. Working was a passion for him. Refusing to sit idly, he began a sawdust hauling business to local horse barns. He thoroughly enjoyed getting to visit other barns and especially getting to know the people that shared his love of horses. The gray and red hauling truck of Huff’s Quarter Horses was a most recognizable sight as it logged over 300,000 miles.

The memory most agreed upon was Jerry’s delivery of good “clean” jokes. His sharp mind and quick wit allowed him to never be at a loss for yet another joke. His positive attitude and love of life allowed him to continuously offer words of encouragement to everyone. When asked how he was, his response was always “super”.

Jerry and Phyllis purchased acreage in 1965, which became his most cherished possession, the Bar H Ranch. His love, his respect for the animals, and knowledge was passed to his children Jean Ann (Jeane) and Jerry (J.R.). Jerry was the founding leader of the Vanderburgh County 4-H Horse & Pony Club in 1961. For decades he volunteered endless hours at the 4-H Center and helped to foster the love of horses to interested youth. Jerry and Phyllis began hauling Jeane and Jerry to horse shows around the tri-state. The horse shows and J.R.’s baseball games filled what spare time Jerry and Phyllis had. Horse shows all over the country consume much of the Huff’s family time.

While conversing with Jerry one does not take long to realize Jerry’s greatest blessing, that of his beloved grandchildren, Houston and Harley. He considered himself truly blessed to have J.R. and his wife Janet along with the kids build a house at the Bar-H-Ranch. Jerry spent countless hours watching Houston & Harley grow and work with their horses and cattle at the barn. Jerry and Phyllis were always cheering the kids on at their ball games and horse shows.

Jerry and Phyllis attend St. Paul’s U.C.C. and Christian Fellowship Church.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; daughter, Jeane; son, J.R. and his wife Janet; grandchildren, Houston and Harley; sister, LaVerne Burnore of South Bend; brother, David and wife Helen of Georgia; and brother, Paul of Georgia; brother-in-law, Earl Hottenstein; uncle, Ray Scherer; loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins.

Services will be held Wednesday at 10:00 A.M., December 23, 2009 at Christian Fellowship Church, officiated by Rev. Mike Deeg with burial at Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday, December 22, 2009 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Alexander West Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Vanderburgh County 4-H Livestock Program, Here’s Life and Westfield Young Life.