Francis Huddle

Francis Clayton “Frank” Huddle, 90, died Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Kobacker House Hospice in Columbus, Ohio after a life of love, fun and adventure, admired by nearly everyone who knew him and visited in his last days by scores of loved ones saying good-bye.

Frank was born in Stoutsville, Ohio on February 14, 1927, to Francis G. “Mac” Huddle and Edna Chambers Huddle, the oldest of seven children who had a lifelong enjoyment of each other; the start of a family dynamic of love and fellowship that Mac and Edna took pains to install in their children, and continues on in their progeny.

Frank graduated Stoutsville High School as Valedictorian in 1945 and was immediately inducted in the U.S. Army at the end of WWII. He served from 1945 - 1947, most of which was in the 3118th Signal Corp division in Frankfurt, Germany with the Army of the Occupation. He was assigned to the Signal Corps because he had taken typing in high school and could use the teletype machines. When computers came around years later he was ahead of those who could not type because keyboarding came back to him.

He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in History and Government from Denison University in 1951 (thru the GI Bill, as he used to tell his children when they asked if they could go to Denison: “Only if your rich Uncle Sam sends you”) and his Master's in Education, Administration from Xavier University, Cincinnati.

After a few early years working for General Electric and Western and Southern Life insurance, Frank decided he wanted to be a teacher. He then spent 31+ years in Education, 22 in Williamsburg, Ohio High School, as a principal and history and geography teacher. He loved all kids...and used to think of the 600 students in the school as 'his'. He was also a football and baseball coach, served on the school board, and found time to become a Kentucky Colonel and a Mason.

He enjoyed frequent golf outings with family members as recently as this summer, and just 5 weeks before his death made a trip back to Williamsburg for a football game and visit with his many children and grandchildren there, not to mention scores of former students.

Frank's surviving siblings are: Pat (Paul) Martin, Mike (Cheryl) Huddle, Judy (Bill) Miller, Tom (Nita Meyer) Huddle, and Becky Huddle. Becky and Frank were roommates the last 4 years of his life and her home-cooked meals, gentle ribbing and Yahtzee games gave both of them much quality of life.

He is also survived by his 7 children who all adored him; Kathy Huddle-(Jim) Hall, Rhett (Jan) Huddle, Rob (Penny) Huddle, Kim (Jeff) Kiser, Melissa (David) Morgan, Doug Huddle, and Matt Huddle, plus 21 grandchildren and 16 great grand-children. He had 6 favorite nieces and 5 favorite nephews, and countless beloved friends. Frank took more joy from his family and friends than any 10 people and treasured every minute with loved ones, in person or on the phone.

He is additionally survived by two wonderful friends now living in Las Vegas, John and Bob Strilka, who thought the world of him (and vice versa). Frank’s many visits to Vegas were highlights of his later life, and he was a mentor to John in John’s own career in education.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Alexa McClain Huddle; Sister Peg Huddle Hunker, brother-in-law of 40 years Don Hunker, and sister-in-law of 57 years Cindy Strohmeyer Huddle.

A memorial service will be held at Pinnacle Golf Cub, Grove City, Ohio - Ballroom on December 2, 2017 at 1 pm (gathering to begin at 12:30) and an additional memorial in the Williamsburg, Ohio High School auditorium from 1-4. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to: Multiple Myeloma Society or Research foundation, Kobacker House Hospice, or The James Cancer hospital both of Columbus, Ohio.