Douglas Huff, a beloved husband, father, and veteran of the US Navy, passed away on May 4, 2024, in Lexington, KY. Born on June 28, 1936, in Confluence, KY, to Clyde and Lula Campbell Huff. Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, his son David Aaron Huff, and his sister Helen (Reeder) Holmes.
Douglas is a native of eastern Kentucky. He graduated from M.C. Napier High School and Indiana University. He then went on to further his Naval career and graduated from the Armed Forces Defense Intelligence College of Defense Academy of the United Kingdom in London, England. In his earlier years as a pilot, he was part of the recovery team in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo Moon Mission Space program.
Retired Captain Huff served in numerous Navy Air Squadrons and was cross-trained in over 25 types of aircraft, and various sub-hunter submarines, however, helicopters were his passion; in which he flew in Vietnam with the Special Forces Team. He was assigned to several operational and administrative staff but loved being in the air every chance he could get.
Retired Captain Huff was a Commanding Officer in numerous stations including but not limited to Hawaii, Mayport, Florida; Alameda, California; San Diego, California and his last post was in Washington D.C working in the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations of Air Warfare.
Retired Captain Huff honorably retired in 1988 after a successful 30-year run with the Navy, then went straight into volunteer work with the Civil Air Patrol holding the rank of Colonel and participated in many searches for missing or downed civilian aircraft. He also flew as a Drug Warden with Kentucky State Police officers, HIDTA (High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), where he held the position of Wing Count Drug Officer for more than 4 years, Governor’s Task Force on Marijuana. He also partook in training and flying young cadets and was very active in the D.A.R.E. program.
In addition to his volunteer work in the air, Douglas volunteered on the ground and became one of the Executive Directors of the Boyle County Humane Society, and spent many hours restoring buildings for the Frontier Nursing School in eastern Kentucky and helped in the clean-up of graves in Hazard and Krypton. Douglas was also part of the Franklin Masonic Lodge #28 F&AM in Danville and served his community and surrounding areas with passion, love, and loyalty.
Douglas was an avid racquetball player at the Bunny Davis Recreation Center and loved riding his mountain bike up and down the hills of Perryville Battlefield and surrounding areas, stopping along the way to check on neighbors and feed animals. He demonstrated unwavering dedication, courage, and leadership, earning the respect and admiration of all who knew him.
Douglas is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, his children Stephen (Jeannine) Huff, Thomas (Libby) Huff, Timothy (Terri) Huff, Jonathan (Barbara) Huff, Amanda Huff, and Amy E. Ely, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with a host of relatives and friends who will miss him deeply. A man of honor and integrity, Douglas leaves behind a legacy of strength, compassion, and patriotism that will be remembered always.
Funeral services and ceremonies will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Centenary Methodist Church with Rev. Chris Morgan officiating. Visitation will be from 12 -2 p.m., prior to the service on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Centenary Methodist Church in the Sanctuary. Military honors provided by the United States Navy and American Legion Caswell Saufley Post #18. Additional honors by the Civil Air Patrol and Boyle County Fire Department, Boyle County Sheriff Department, Kentucky State Police, Mercer County Sheriff Department, and Perryville Police Department, assisting the Danville Police Department with the funeral escort.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Danville-Boyle County Humane Society.
In honoring his memory, we recognize the sacrifices he made for his country and the profound impact he had on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Douglas Huff.
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