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Jesse Huggins Obituary
Hartford City - Jesse "Jess" Edward Huggins, Jr., 73, passed away due to injuries in an accident on Monday, July 2, 2018 in Hartford City, IN. He was born in Hartford City on October 23, 1944, the son of Jesse Edward Huggins, Sr. and Olive Elizabeth (Gibson) Huggins and spent the majority of his life in Blackford County. Both of his parents preceded him in death.
Jess graduated from Hartford City High School in 1962. He continued his education and graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in 1967 from Indiana State University. He also received a Master's Degree in Curriculum from Ball State University. He was very dedicated to education and to the students in Blackford County, where he spent 50 years within the school system, first as an Industrial Technology Teacher and then Assistant Superintendent and Business Manager for Blackford County Schools. He is currently serving the citizens of Blackford County on the School Board, to which he was elected in 2015, and had previously served on the board from 2007 until 2011.
Not only was education important to Jess, but he also had a love for flying. He earned his pilot's license on his 16th birthday at the Inman Airport in Hartford City. He flew for Anderson Aviation and General Motors as a Charter Pilot and for many years he was a flight instructor. He was an avid pilot and due to his love of flying, he tried to fly every day from his airstrip at home. Jess was a professional motorcycle rider, sponsored by Yamaha beginning in 1967. He was the National Amateur Short Track and Half-Mile Champion in 1974. Jess won the Class C Road Race at Daytona in 1975 and amassed more than 900-career feature wins on motorcycles. He rode professionally for ten years. In addition to motorcycle racing, Jess raced USAC Full Midgets and Three-Quarter Midgets for many years.
Jess married Tresa (Cizek) Huggins on September 21, 1991 in Versailles, IN. Together they co-owned and operated Variety Unlimited, LLC and Colonial Inn Apartments, LLC in Hartford City. Jess had been a real estate investor his entire adult life with a great love for Blackford County. He was a man of many talents and a true entrepreneur. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Hartford City.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, Tresa Huggins of Hartford City; daughter, Jessica Dawn (husband David L.) Schmidt of Hartford City; sons, Paul Edward (wife, Mary Katherine) Huggins of Fishers and Brent D. (wife, Elizabeth J.) Bigler of Carmel; grandchildren, Kristan N. (husband, Shawn) Wharrey, Kaitlin M. Nuckols (companion, Aaron Beal), Amanda Huggins, Sarah Huggins, Lauren Huggins, Nora E. Bigler and Piper J. Bigler; sister, Patricia A. (husband, William R.) Eppard of Hartford City, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 8,, 2018 at Keplinger Funeral Home, 509 N. High St., Hartford City and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2018 at the funeral home. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2018 at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St. Hartford City with Father Dave Newton officiating.
Memorials may be made to Blackford County Community Foundation-Scholarships, P.O. Box 327, Hartford City, IN 47348 or St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St. Hartford City, IN 47348
Online condolences may be made to www.keplingerfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jesse Huggins
Sponsored by Keplinger Funeral Home.
JIM SCHAEFER
June 14, 2019
I just ran across Jess's obituary on 6/12/19. My condolences to the family. I knew Jess at ISU when we were freshmen and sophomores living in the same dorm and in several classes together. I also played football against Jess in high school as I graduated from Huntington in 1962. Our senior year we were beating HC 55-0 but the kid playing on the line across from me played harder and tougher as though his team was ahead. We got in a scuffle near the end of the game, and we both were nearly ejected from the game. After the game we shook hands and introduced ourselves. It looks like his hard work and toughness followed him throughout his life.
Mike Nealley
August 30, 2018
On behalf of all Indiana furniture retailers and representatives we express our most sincere condolences to the Huggins family.
Bonnie Case
July 10, 2018
I am so sorry to hear about jess.my thoughts are with Teressa And family.all my prayers to you all.
Chuck and Lee Brownlee
July 10, 2018
So sorry to hear today that Jesse passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his sweet wife, Tresa and his family. We're sure that this dynamic personality will be missed by all here in Okeechobee, Florida and everywhere else.
Pam and Charlie Newman
July 8, 2018
Jess will be greatly missed by many friends in Okeechobee, Florida.
July 7, 2018
Will miss you Jess, I'll see you again. So many good times together. You are the champ. Never forgotten.
Disco Dan
Joyce Lee
July 6, 2018
Thinking of you Tresa, Dawn and family. So sorry we can't be there. Jesse will be missed. Lots of laughs at CO (some days).
Melanie
July 6, 2018
With anguish I share your loss. May God give the Huggins family peace and comfort during this difficult time. Jeremiah 29:11, 12.
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