John Paul Huddle

1936 - 2022

Huddle, John Paul

Major John Paul Huddle, USAF, retired, 86, passed away Friday, September 23, 2022, at his home in North Carolina with family at his side.

John was born April 18, 1936, near Benton, Ohio to Harold and Eunice (Beale) Huddle. A farm boy, he graduated from Lykens High School in 1954 and from the Ohio State University in 1958, and followed his older brother into the US Air Force at the rank of Lieutenant. While stationed at Rammstein AFB in Germany, he met Helga Katharina Fuchs, whom he married on September 21, 1963 in Sycamore, Ohio. They lovingly raised two daughters together, living in Texas, Virginia, Ohio and Missouri, enjoying family trips to Germany. John spent 20 years as a meteorologist in the Air Force, retiring in 1980 in St. Louis. He then worked as a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency until 2000. After divorcing in 1989, he met and married Jacqueline Bernard in November, 1998 at University United Methodist Church in University City, where he served as treasurer and sang in the choir. John was an avid and accomplished musician, playing ragtime on his piano, picking out songs on his guitar and ukulele, and winning medals singing baritone with his barbershop chorus, the Ambassadors of Harmony, including international gold. Always eager to keep moving, he won medals in track and field in the Senior Olympics. He enjoyed travel throughout his life, especially with Jackie who planned many wonderful trips for them. He was a model of devotion in Jackie's later years as he lovingly sat at her side, simply holding her hand, until her death from Alzheimer's disease. In his later years he lived near his younger daughter in Florida and North Carolina, where he enjoyed spending time with her and his grandchildren. His kind nature and good humor were appreciated by all who knew him, including his caregivers.

John will be deeply missed by his two daughters, Annette Huddle and her wife Gina Solomon, and Christine (Tina) Jackson and her husband Mike Jackson; two grandchildren, Peyton and Christopher Jackson; his brother Robert Huddle, and his nephew David Huddle; and his step-children, Karen Bult, Mike Bernard (Joyce), and Mary Abrahamson (Craig); grandchildren, Mark Bult (Katie), Emily Bult (Andy Hsueh), Laura Bult, Nick Abrahamson (Blair), Amy Robertson, Kenzie Charles (Chase) and Brandon Bernard; great-grandchildren through his wife Jackie; and dear family friend Mary Ellen Hayes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eunice, and his wife Jackie.

A celebration of life service will be held in the spring in St. Louis, MO. Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks. Those wishing to sign John's guestbook may do so at triadfuneralservice.com. Expressions of condolence may be sent to Tina Jackson, 6747 Phillip Ct., Summerfield, NC. 27358