John M. Huff

John Michael Huff was born Dec. 29, 1932, in Walla Walla to Andrew Elick and Marguerite Delphine Huff. The family moved to Portland and eventually settled in Hillsboro, behind Shute Park on S.E. Eighth Avenue.John graduated from Hillsboro Union High School (Hilhi) in 1953. He married Kathleen McCracken Aug. 1, 1953. he reported for duty in the U.S. Army Aug. 5, 1953. The majority of his military service was spent in Germany. After he was discharged, he returned to Oregon and began a career as a meat cutter, working for various grocery stores.In 1971, John and Kathleen built a home on Eighth Avenue where they raised their seven children.After his retirement, John spent his days at the things he loved: ballroom dancing, fishing, hunting, growing vegetables and making animated wooden toys for his grandchildren.In 1996, John moved to Brookings. At a Halloween dance, he met Sharon Lee (Rodgers) Cowan. They both enjoyed dancing and soon became inseparable. They were married and continued their dance Aug. 8, 1999.In December of 2007, John was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Sharon retired from Century 21 Agate Realty a year earlier than planned so she could spend as much time as possible with John. As his condition worsened, her love for him never wavered even though he couldn't express his love and gratitude in return.John suffered a stroke March 30, 2016, while at home. He took his last breath April 2, 2016, with his wife by his side and surrounded by his children.John was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen; son, John Michael Huff II; grandson, Terrence Wilson II; and great-grandsons, Daimon and Darian Smith.He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Brookings; children, Marguerite (James) Waite of Fayetteville, Ark., Roxsee Huff of Gresham, Tamera (Daniel) Somers of Gold Beach, James McCracken of Redmond, Michael Anne Maslow of Eugene and Anthony (Puspha) Huff of Marysville, Wash.; step- children, Peter (Valrie) Cowan, David Cowan, Carla (Greg) Doan of Brookings and James (Pamela) Cowan of Aloha; brothers, Andrew (Katherine) Huff of Hillsboro and Theodore (Pat) Huff of Cove; sister, Agnes Whitman of Estacada; 25 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.At his request, no service will be held.