John Dale Huff

Obituary John Dale Huff, 82, passed away peacefully in Denver February 22, 2023 after a short, unexpected illness. He was born in Tulare, CA on October 24, 1940. He grew up in Ketchikan, AK with his older sister, Darlene and younger brother, Gerald. He graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1958 where he played basketball and was an All-Alaskan athlete and co-captain of the team throughout high school. His father was a professional Salmon fisherman and John went often on the Loraliel to fish with his dad. He then went on to Hardi-Simmons University in Abilene, TX to acquire his Bachelor of Arts in 1962 where he worked on the side for the local pulp mill to pay for his college. This is where he met and married his beautiful wife, Martha, and were married 60 years. They had two sons, John Taylor and Mark (deceased). John & Martha went on the New Orleans, where he attended Tulane Law School for a year where he realized he really wanted to teach. He finalized his teaching degree at Western New Mexico University with a Masters in 1968. A couple of years later, he was then offered a job as Professor of English at the El Paso Community College (Formerly Pikes Peak Community College, now Pikes Peak State College) in Colorado Springs where he and his family moved to. While working for Pikes Peak Community College he started out as a professor of English, then moved on to be the Dean of the English Dept., then on to Vice President of the College. He worked under four different college presidents. His positions with Pikes Peak were instrumental in the growth and expansions of the programs and campus. While working at PPCC he received his Doctorate of Philosophy from the Colorado State University. John retired from his position in Just of 1996 but went on to manage the Build-out of the northern campus in Colorado Springs. He was also hired by the Catholic Diocese to write a great program. Throughout Johns life he had a love of fishing, both lake and fly fishing. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He was also a dedicated husband and father and enjoyed spending time with his friends. John is survived by his loving wife, Martha; oldest son, John Taylor; and two grandchildren, Hunter and Caleb Huff. He is preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Lora Mae Huff; sister, Darlene Harris; brother, Gerald Huff and son Mark Huff. He will be truly missed by family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Johns family will be holding a celebration of life on March 8, 2023 at 2pm at the Gateway Presbyterian Church, located at 731 Castle Road Colorado Springs 80904 Services Celebration of Life Wednesday March 8, 2023 2:00 PM Gateway Presbyterian 731 Castle Rd Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904