Gary joined the Marines at age 19 (as did many of our classmates) and was in Vietnam on his 21st birthday. (I sent him a German chocolate cake and a bottle of vodka. (You guys can imagine what the cake was like, what was I thinking) He was a heavy equipment operator on the DMZ, building route one. He was issued the Purple Heart metal and the Navy commendation metal. I will never forget the day the Marines pulled in our drive, not knowing what to expect.
The war changed Gary's life, but he was always proud to have served.
Gary was married and Divorced, has two children, L ori and Gary, Jr and four beautiful grandchildren, Zoe, Zara, Gunnar and Gannon.
Gary passed away on May 04, 2012. Our family is so thankful for the last ten years, even tho he had allot of physical problems he was able to enjoy and spoil four little ones.
Gary was one of my longest Geneva friends. Starting with baseball behind the Centenial Street shopping center and recreation basketball at the Muny hall all the way through high school. One of my favorite memories of Gary was when I was sitting in the Danang airport waiting for a plane to take me back to my outfit. I had just came back from an R&R in Hawaii where I was with my wife. I was sitting there with my head down feeling down. I looked up and there was Gary who had just came down from the DMZ and was on his way home. We had a great time just sitting there catching up. It was great for both of us to see someone from home. We both made it home and saw each other many times and I will always remember how hard Gary was dealing with life after combat. Neither of us knew then what PTSD was but it was definitely something that Gary was going through. It wasn't until about 1992 that the VA started to recognize and start to deal with it. I am not sure if Gary ever ever got treatment for it but it is something that many veterans have and continue to receive help with. Semper Fi Brother!
Gary Huffman, Age 65, of Geneva, passed away Friday, May 4, 2012 Wade Park Veterans Hospital in Cleveland.
Born June 11, 1946 in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Margaret Ellen (Foster) & William Riley Huffman. He was raised by his step-father, Charles A. Berly.
Gary was a Heavy Equipment Operator for Kindig Construction and Geneva Contractors.
A graduate of Geneva High School, he was a Veteran of the U.S. Marines, serving in Vietnam. Gary was a kind and passionate man who was always generous, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching OSU games and NASCAR. He loved spending time with his family, children, and grandchildren, who were the light of his life.
He is survived by Daughter Lori (Joshua) Haffa of Williamsfield, OH
Son Gary Huffman of Geneva
4 Grandchildren Zoe, Zara, Gunnar, Gannon
Former Wife Melanie Devai of Geneva
Sister Dianne (Jim) Gilbert of Ashtabula
Brother John (Cathy) Berly of Geneva
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and step-father.
Friends will be received 10 AM – 12 Noon, Thursday, May 10, 2012, at The Behm Family Funeral Homes, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva, Ohio. Memorial Service will follow at 12 Noon.
Final Resting Place will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Geneva.
Dianne Huffman (Gilbert)
My brother Gary
Gary joined the Marines at age 19 (as did many of our classmates) and was in Vietnam on his 21st birthday. (I sent him a German chocolate cake and a bottle of vodka. (You guys can imagine what the cake was like, what was I thinking) He was a heavy equipment operator on the DMZ, building route one. He was issued the Purple Heart metal and the Navy commendation metal. I will never forget the day the Marines pulled in our drive, not knowing what to expect.
The war changed Gary's life, but he was always proud to have served.
Gary was married and Divorced, has two children, L ori and Gary, Jr and four beautiful grandchildren, Zoe, Zara, Gunnar and Gannon.
Gary passed away on May 04, 2012. Our family is so thankful for the last ten years, even tho he had allot of physical problems he was able to enjoy and spoil four little ones.
I miss him and his phone calls every day.
Gary didn't say goodbye, just "Later"
Thanks to Gary and all our classmates who served.
David Trask
Ooo Rah Brother Gary
Chris Brown
Gary was one of my longest Geneva friends. Starting with baseball behind the Centenial Street shopping center and recreation basketball at the Muny hall all the way through high school. One of my favorite memories of Gary was when I was sitting in the Danang airport waiting for a plane to take me back to my outfit. I had just came back from an R&R in Hawaii where I was with my wife. I was sitting there with my head down feeling down. I looked up and there was Gary who had just came down from the DMZ and was on his way home. We had a great time just sitting there catching up. It was great for both of us to see someone from home. We both made it home and saw each other many times and I will always remember how hard Gary was dealing with life after combat. Neither of us knew then what PTSD was but it was definitely something that Gary was going through. It wasn't until about 1992 that the VA started to recognize and start to deal with it. I am not sure if Gary ever ever got treatment for it but it is something that many veterans have and continue to receive help with. Semper Fi Brother!
Jerry Goodwin (Jerry Goodwin)
Farwell Gary,
I wish I had known you better.
Jerry
Bruno Szewczyk
Take Care Gary, in service Bruno
Allen Brand
http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Gary-Huffman-93745531
Gary Huffman, Age 65, of Geneva, passed away Friday, May 4, 2012 Wade Park Veterans Hospital in Cleveland.
Born June 11, 1946 in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Margaret Ellen (Foster) & William Riley Huffman. He was raised by his step-father, Charles A. Berly.
Gary was a Heavy Equipment Operator for Kindig Construction and Geneva Contractors.
A graduate of Geneva High School, he was a Veteran of the U.S. Marines, serving in Vietnam. Gary was a kind and passionate man who was always generous, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching OSU games and NASCAR. He loved spending time with his family, children, and grandchildren, who were the light of his life.
He is survived by Daughter Lori (Joshua) Haffa of Williamsfield, OH
Son Gary Huffman of Geneva
4 Grandchildren Zoe, Zara, Gunnar, Gannon
Former Wife Melanie Devai of Geneva
Sister Dianne (Jim) Gilbert of Ashtabula
Brother John (Cathy) Berly of Geneva
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and step-father.
Friends will be received 10 AM – 12 Noon, Thursday, May 10, 2012, at The Behm Family Funeral Homes, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva, Ohio. Memorial Service will follow at 12 Noon.
Final Resting Place will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Geneva.