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Darrell Richards Huffaker

Posted 2009-10-18 by Judy Wight Branson
The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Friday, April 14, 2006

Darrell Richards Huffaker, born June 17, 1934, in Fort Madison, Iowa, passed on to eternal life April 10, 2006.

Preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Huffaker and infant daughter, Mary Louise Huffaker.

Survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Lou Oppenheimer Huffaker; brother Jerry (Rose) Huffaker; five sons and daughter-in laws, Kirk (Deb) Huffaker, Carefree, Ariz.; Greg (Katie) Huffaker, Prescott, Ariz.; Bryan (Jennifer) Huffaker, Albuquerque, NM; Chuck (Sammy) Huffaker, Austin, Texas; and Scott (Tina) Huffaker, Chandler, Ariz.

In addition, Darrell and Mary Lou were sponsor parents for Luis (Jeanne) Mariaca, Irmo, SC originally from La Paz, Bolivia; 14 grandchildren; Heidi, Neil, Amanda, Jake, Michael, Luke, Grady, Trent, Jocelyn and Therese Huffaker, Gabriella, Luis, Jr., Claire and Mateo Mariaca.

Other close surviving relatives; Richard (Carol) Oppenheimer, James (Sydney) Oppenheimer, Thomas (Sherry) Oppenheimer. Darrell married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Oppenheimer, June 1955.

Darrell earned a Pharmacy Degree from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1956 and was a Letter winner for the Drake University Bulldog Football Team. He served his community and church in Lewistown, Ill., as owner of Main Street Pharmacy and member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and board member of Lewistown Savings and Loan. He also served on the Lewistown City Council, including acting as Mayor Pro-tern. In addition, he served on the Building and Planning Committee for St Mary's Catholic Church.

Darrell and Mary Lou relocated to Sierra Vista, Ariz., in 1979, where he continued to serve his community as owner of Medical Square Pharmacy and became a member of the Arizona Pharmacy Association. He became a preceptor for the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy students and was granted an honorary Doctorate degree. Darrell became a Eucharistic Minister in 1983 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

He and Mary Lou moved to Gilbert, Ariz., in 1989, where Darrell continued his community pharmacy practice and service to St. Timothy's Catholic Church.

After moving to Glendale, Ariz., Darrell continued his service on the Fund Raising Committee for St. Thomas Moore.

In 2000, Darrell and Mary Lou relocated to Prescott, Ariz. In Prescott, Darrell continued his practice of Pharmacy and became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served as Eucharistic Minister.

Most important to Darrell was first his family,friends, co-workers and customers. He was a very devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. The best! He will be truly missed.

Funeral Mass service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 150 Fleury Ave., Prescott, AZ on Monday, April 17, 2006. Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Mass at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donation to Sacred Heart Parish School, 131 N. Summit Avenue, Prescott, AZ 86301.

Information provided by survivors.




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