Hugh Lawson Huffman, Jr. was born in Florence, Alabama in 1945, to loving parents Daisy Gladys Greene Huffman & Hugh Lawson Huffman, Sr. The youngest of three children with two older sisters, he developed an early love of the outdoors and service through Boy Scouts, earning both Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. Boy Scouts, church involvement, and family support uplifted him following the death of his father when he was eleven.
Hugh graduated from Coffee High School, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Powell. Hugh and Pat raised two daughters while living in Westfield, New Jersey and Baton Rouge, Louisiana before retiring to Lexington, Kentucky.
Hugh's sense of humor was only matched by his intelligence and love of learning. He earned a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Florence State University, followed by a PhD from the University of Kentucky and completed postdoctoral work at University of Cincinnati. Hugh devoted 31 years of his professional life as an analytical and petroleum chemist at ExxonMobil's research laboratories, where his work reflected both precision and integrity.
His whole life, Hugh was actively involved in the church communities to which he belonged. He enjoyed volunteering, singing in the church choir and playing handbells, serving as a Deacon and providing leadership on Session. He regularly joined church service projects, most recently in rural Kentucky. He quietly donated to service and justice organizations that he knew would help sustain the most vulnerable among us. After retiring, he became a Master Gardener, volunteered at the University of Kentucky Arboretum, and taught children how to read.
Hugh is preceded in death by his sisters, Thelma Lorene Thompson and Gladys Elizabeth Sutton. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Powell Huffman, daughters Rachel Huffman Knuth (Nathan) and Emily Huffman, and grandchildren Aaron, Jonah, Tamar and Henry Knuth.
A memorial service was held at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, KY on December 27, 2025 with visitation preceding the service. Memorial gifts may be made to Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church of Lexington, KY or to Floracliff Nature Preserve.
Hugh graduated from Coffee High School, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Powell. Hugh and Pat raised two daughters while living in Westfield, New Jersey and Baton Rouge, Louisiana before retiring to Lexington, Kentucky.
Hugh's sense of humor was only matched by his intelligence and love of learning. He earned a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Florence State University, followed by a PhD from the University of Kentucky and completed postdoctoral work at University of Cincinnati. Hugh devoted 31 years of his professional life as an analytical and petroleum chemist at ExxonMobil's research laboratories, where his work reflected both precision and integrity.
His whole life, Hugh was actively involved in the church communities to which he belonged. He enjoyed volunteering, singing in the church choir and playing handbells, serving as a Deacon and providing leadership on Session. He regularly joined church service projects, most recently in rural Kentucky. He quietly donated to service and justice organizations that he knew would help sustain the most vulnerable among us. After retiring, he became a Master Gardener, volunteered at the University of Kentucky Arboretum, and taught children how to read.
Hugh is preceded in death by his sisters, Thelma Lorene Thompson and Gladys Elizabeth Sutton. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Powell Huffman, daughters Rachel Huffman Knuth (Nathan) and Emily Huffman, and grandchildren Aaron, Jonah, Tamar and Henry Knuth.
A memorial service was held at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, KY on December 27, 2025 with visitation preceding the service. Memorial gifts may be made to Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church of Lexington, KY or to Floracliff Nature Preserve.
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