Leland Newton Huff's Obituary
He was born Leland Newton Huff on
March 18, 1932, in Inkster, Michigan.
His parents were Glenn and Florence Huff, and they had 6
other children, so it was always a busy household. His dad
worked for the Ford Motor Company, and his mom worked
concessions at Tiger Stadium a few blocks from their
home. Leland was a typical little boy, and broke his left arm
when he fell out of a tree when he was 9 years old. While
the cast was on, he switched to writing with his right hand,
and never went back to being a "south paw" again. He
enjoyed his siblings and always spoke fondly of his dogs,
Tippy and Sport.
In high school, he played football, ran track, and worked
part-time for the Coca Cola Company for extra spending
money - especially when he began dating Mary Lear, who
would one day become his wife of 65 years. On their first
date, he invited Mary to his sister Gloria's wedding, and
afterward, ended up pushing the stalled car they were
riding in while wearing his tuxedo! Leland graduated from
Western High School in Detroit, and was voted “Best
Dressed" of his senior class.
Shortly thereafter, Leland entered the Army to serve in the
Korean War. He was pulled off of a plane set to go to the
front lines because his superiors liked that he didn't smoke,
drink or curse, and those attributes perhaps saved his life.
He was assigned to the base at Hokkaido, Japan as a part
of the Military Police - a title of which he was always so
proud. After serving for 2 years, he returned home to marry
his sweetheart, Mary Sue, at Temple Baptist Church in
Detroit, on June 11,
1954.
He started college on the G.I. Bill that fall, majoring in
education at Wayne State University where he also earned
a Masters Degree in Special Education, and a Masters in
Industrial Education. After gaining some teaching
experience, Lee and Mary decided to move to California for
better weather. They landed in San Bernardino, and Leland
started an illustrious 41-year career. He primarily taught
woodshop, but filled in on other subjects when needed, as
well as teaching
evening adult education classes. His students loved him
and his jokes (which they called "Huff Duds”), and decades
later, approached him in restaurants, stores, and even at
the Grand Canyon to tell him how much they appreciated
him and how he encouraged them to make all that they
could of their lives. When Lori and Craig were both
pre-teens, he took them to his summer school classes so
they could learn how to work with wood, metal and plastic,
as well as drafting. Leland was a master at his craft and
also did small watercolor paintings. He was often called on
to help Lori and Craig with school projects, and in later
years, helped grandson Jared build a perfectly weighted
Pinewood Derby car for racing at Cub Scout competitions.
Leland accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord in April,
1942, and was very active in church -- helping small ones
get started, and tithing even above that which was asked.
He was a constant on Wednesday night Visitation, and was
thrilled to lead people to Christ in their own homes. Over
the years, he served as a Deacon, an Usher, a junior
church instructor, youth group chaperone, and enjoyed
singing baritone for many years in the church choir.
Craig got his love of fishing and camping from his Dad,
and the family's favorite place to visit for summer vacations
was the Kern River. There was also horseback riding,
tandem bicycles, and river rafting many years ago, and
special memories were made. So, it was fortunate that Lori
was able to take both parents to stay at the Falling Waters
Lodge in Kernville one last time in late 2018.
Leland always enjoyed coming to Craig and Lisa's house
for family holiday gatherings, and particularly liked sampling
Lisa's baked goods. He was a proud Grandpa the day the
twins Ashley and Jared were born, and stuck around all day
just to look at them. And of course, he was happy that the
Huff name would continue on! They called him Papa, and
he was so thrilled when they accepted Christ and have now
become responsible, loving, kind young adults.
When he was 48 years old, he lost his home in the
Panorama Fire, and all that he had worked so hard to
attain. When he was 65 he was diagnosed with cancer, but
after surgery, went on to live another 24 years. At age 88,
he lost his sweetheart Mary but took comfort in the fact that
he would see her again one day where there is no more
pain or suffering. At age 89 that became a reality. Leland
went to meet his Savior and the loved ones who had gone
before him on May 7, 2021, and is once again singing with
the choir.
What’s your fondest memory of Leland?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leland?
Share a story where Leland's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leland you’ll never forget.
How did Leland make you smile?