BOSSIER CITY – Tommy “Tom” Huffman, born June 25, 1948, passed away peacefully at his home on November 24, 2013 surrounded by his loving wife and family after a courageous battle with lung cancer. The family will receive visitors at Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, LA on Friday, November 29th from 12-2 p.m. Services celebrating Tom’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday November 29th at Hill Crest Chapel officiated by Rev. Buster Page. Burial will follow, with full military honors, at Hill Crest Memorial Park.
Tom was born in Alexandria, LA on June 25, 1948, to Leon and Lorene Huffman. After graduating from Pineville High School, Tom attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. He married the love his life, Linda (Finical), in June 1968, and shortly after joined the United States Air Force. Tom served his country honorably for 20 years, retiring at Barksdale Air Force Base in 1988. Throughout his military career, he served in various assignments in Louisiana and Kansas, including a tour in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Tom also worked with Rose-Neath and Boone Funeral Homes and upon retirement from the Air Force, worked with Wray Ford, Chevyland, and R&R Wholesale Cars.
Tom always lived life to the fullest. He loved to fish and to cook for all his friends and family. Tom and Linda spent many wonderful times in their camper at Cypress Lake and fishing off of their party barge. He was also an avid LSU football fan and spent many nights with Linda and his faithful pug, “Sugar”, cheering on the Tigers.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Lorene Huffman; in-laws, William and Marie Finical; nephews, Billy Finical and Brad Coon; and niece, Patricia Stangle. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Linda Finical Huffman; daughters, Lt. Col. (retired) Tammy McKenzie (Mark) and Kimberly Decker (Scot); four grandchildren – his pride and joy – Jacob and Madeline McKenzie, Haley Sepulvado and Molly Decker; brothers, Gerald Huffman (Jan) and Burl Huffman; sisters, Brenda Smith (Donnie) and Kay Wiley (Rick); sister-in-law, Melba Huffman; brothers-in-law, Bill Finical (Rosie) and Bob Finical (Gerrie); and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special friends, Ricky and Vicky Pharr, Cindy Sledge and Jeff Sepulvado.
Honoring Tommy as pallbearers, along with Barksdale A.F.B. Honor Guard, are Mark McKenzie, Jacob McKenzie, Jeff Sepulvado, Scot Decker, Ricky Pharr and Bill Finical.
With sincere gratitude, the family would like to thank the 7th floor nurses at Willis Knighton Pierremont, the team at St. Joseph Hospice, and Dr. Robert Savory and Dr. David Green for their compassionate care of Tom; Rhonda Beauvais and the staff of The Glen Retirement System for the compassionate care shown to Linda throughout this time. A special thanks goes to the staff and residents of Glenview Gardens Retirement Community for your endless encouragement and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, Tom wanted donations to go to Glenview Gardens Activity Department, 4828 Medical Dr., Bossier City, LA 71112.
