Elmer Huffman

Elmer Langdon Huffman, 87 years old, and a long-time resident of Hendersonville, passed away at his home in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 29, 2012. His daughter Judi Fulbright, son-in-law Jim, of High Point, NC, and his son, Lanny Huffman and wife Terry, also of Hendersonville, were at his side at the time of his passing. Elmer's wife of 62 years, Bernadette Bleakney Huffman 2008 and his son Timothy Jonathan Huffman 2005, preceded him in death. He leaves behind three grandchildren, Jillian Fulbright Bosarge Brett of Tallahassee, FL, Lindsey Huffman Castleman Kevin of Cane Ridge, TN, and Mitchell Langdon Huffman of Hendersonville, TN, and an 11-week-old great-grandson, Elijah Landry Bosarge of Tallahassee, FL as his legacy. Born in Hickory, NC in 1925 to Sadie Pope Huffman and Albert Raymond Huffman, Elmer was the youngest of five children, all now deceased. During his freshman year at NC State University then College, Elmer enlisted in the Army Air Force on his 18th birthday to serve his country during World War II after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Stationed in Riverside, CA, Elmer worked as an aircraft mechanic, primarily on B-24 bombers, and met Bernadette Bleakney of Lisle, IL, a fellow enlistee working as an "auto equipment operator", who he married in 1945. Discharged after VE Day in 1946, Elmer and Bernie lived in Illinois briefly but the winters were too much for Elmer, particularly after having to walk home backwards due to the blinding snows and howling winds. The young family returned to North Carolina with their two young children, Judi and Tim. Elmer worked a number of years as an appliance repairman and salesman before transitioning to an electronic equipment salesman, first employed with Southeastern Radio Supply and then joining Superior Cable in 1966 as a sales representative. In 1974, he was honored by the Alabama-Mississippi Independent Telephone Association as "Favorite Peddler of the Year." In 1990, he was awarded membership in the inaugural class in the President's Sales Club in recognition of his outstanding sales record by Siecor. In 1995 he retired from Siecor formerly Superior Cable as a Senior Account Executive and relocated to the Hendersonville, TN area for the second time to be closer to his youngest son Lanny, his wife Terry and their two young children. After the move to Tennessee, Elmer became the primary care-giver for his wife Bernie during her long decline until her death in 2008 due to Alzheimer's disease. As for the things he most enjoyed, during his years at Siecor, Elmer developed skills on the golf course and would squire his clients around local golf courses. He was a card-carrying member of the American Golf Association and relished entertaining clients at Augusta during the Master's Golf Tournament there. He carried these skills and that enjoyment into his retirement until arthritis made swinging a club painful. He also became a Master Gardener through the North Carolina Extension Service office while living there and grew fruit trees and vegetables. Elmer loved the beach and hosted a yearly vacation to the beach for his children and grandchildren for about 10 years. His favorite pursuit while at the beach was watching all the activities through his binoculars! He also loved seafood and walking in the surf. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Hendersonville, TN, Caris Healthcare, the hospice provider who helped him in his transition to his new life, and NAMI, the National Association for Mental Illness. A graveside service will be held 2pm Monday December 31, 2012 at Hendersonville Memory Gardens with a memorial to follow 3pm at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME 353 JOHNNY CASH PKWY HENDERSONVILLE, TN, 37075 615-824-3855 hendersonvillefh.com