Howard Hufford

Howard Richard Hufford, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on December 20, 2022, at the age of 92.

Howard was born on July 15, 1930, to the late Howard Wilson Hufford and Elizabeth Ann (Apfel) Hufford in Chicago, Illinois.

He married the love of his life, Jessie Lea Rigsby, on August 24, 1957. They were married for 65 years and raised four children.

Howard was a proud veteran of the Korean War, serving as a cryptographer in the Army Signal Corps. When he returned home, he earned his degree from SMS then worked for two decades as a civil engineer at City Utilities. After retiring from City Utilities, he worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for 12 years.

Helping others was one of Howard’s great joys. During the war, he volunteered at an orphanage in Korea, and he later served as a chaplain for the VFW. Throughout his life, he was a tireless volunteer for various organizations, including the Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels, and Cross Lines.

He was a lifelong student of history, and he participated in many Civil War reenactments. He also adored music. He was a consummate mandolinist and an avid whistler, whistling wherever he went, up until his final days.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Elinor (Hufford) Carlson and Bettyann (Hufford) McNulty, and brother Robert Hufford. He is survived by his wife, Jessie; his children, Richard (Marla) Hufford, Bob (Terri) Hufford, Evelyn (Jim) Lambeth, and Kathleen (Gregg) Frazier; his grandchildren, Lisl Hufford, Erich (Kayla) Hufford, Sierra (Ray) Hufford, Lacey (Sam) Withers, Cody Hufford, AJ (Cameron) Lambeth, Caitlin (Ben) Pierson, Travis Boyd, Joe (Bekah) Frazier, Brennan Frazier, Jess (Gus) Lindamood, and Elizabeth Frazier; and his great-grandchildren, Colton Pierson, Addison Pierson, and Frazier Lindamood.

Funeral services will be held at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 28, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held prior to service time beginning at 1:30 p.m. Graveside services with Full Military Honors will be held at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri on Thursday, December 29, at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Crosslines of Springfield.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.