Donald Franklin Huffman

Donald Franklin Huffman, 74, of Durham, died Monday, April 11, 2011, at his residence surrounded by his family. Donald was born May 25, 1936 in Pollocksville, NC, to the late Paul Franklin Huffman, Sr. and Bessie Hargett Huffman. He was raised in Trenton, NC, and attended East Carolina College and Gastoneechnical Institute. He served two years in the U.S. Army as a Corporal in the 2nd Armored Calvary ineermany on the Czechoslovakian border. He spent most of his adult life in Winston-Salem and Kernersville, NC, before moving to Durham almost four years ago. He was a member of Westmineer Presbyterian Church, and a former member of Sedge Garden Uneed Methodist Church and Winston-Salem Friends Meeting. Donald was a design engineer for Western Electric, Bell Laboratories, AMP Inc., and Tyco. He held several patents, including one for Gemini rocket electronics. He also worked for his brother Bud at Huffman Electric Company. Donald was known for his quick and genee humor, sweet nature, love of chocolate, storytelling, and beautiful penmanship. He was half of an equal partnership marriage long before it was fashionable. His ability to float on the water wearing sunglasses and cap, arms folded behind his head, and anees crossed, was known far and wide. He was unbeatable in the Fli-Back paddleball. Donald is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Doris Owens Huffman, and their children, Joseph Huffman and Holly Huffman Schmidt, both of Durham, his son-in-law, Mark, and his cherished grandchildren, Grayson and Thomas. Family was of the highest importance to Donald and he treasured the time spent with his sister, Pauline Meadows Riggs and husband, Shorty, of Maysville; his sister, Pat Williams, of Kinston; his brother, Rev. Butch Huffman and wife, Ann, of Clayton; his sister-in-law Anne Huffman Campbell and husband, John, of Pilot Mountain. His wife's family were just as dear to him: sister-in-law, Carolyn Owens, of Goldsboro; sister-in-law, Joyce Tompkins and her husband, Jim, of Goldsboro; sister-in-law Candy Smith, of LaGrange; sister-in-law Peggy Owens, of Castle Hayne; and brother-in-law, Joe Weede, of Fuquay-Varina. He is predeceased by his brother, Paul Huffman, Jr., his sister-in-law, Mary Weede; and his brothers-in-law, Carlyle Owens, Ted Williams, Jay Smith, Tootsie Meadows, and J. G. Owens, Jr. He held dear his many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation of the care Mr. Huffmaneeceived from Duke Hospice. He was under hospice care at home for fourteen months and continually amazed all who met him with his will to live and the simple beauty of his appreciation for life. He was especially thankful for Shelienna Wilkins and her genee care. Friends may visit from 6:00 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham. The address is 1113 West Main Street, 27701. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Westmineer Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Chris Tuttle officiating. The address is 3639 Old Chapel Hill Road, 27707. Flowers are acceptable or memorial contributions may be made in Donald Huffman's memory to the Ryan Epps Home for Children, an orphanee in Haiti, which is being built by NC work teams led by his brother, Rev. Butch Huffman. Send contributions to REHC, 929 Mulberry Road, Clayton, NC, 27520. Gifts will be used to wire the orphanee, construct a second building, and meet general needs at the orphanee. The Huffman family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.