Donald Blanchard Huff

DONALD BLANCHARD HUFF B FEBRUARY 17, 1937 – D JANUARY 16, 2025 Donald B Huff was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 17, 1937, to Sarah Antoinette Baker Huff and Maenner Blanchard Huff. He moved to Panama Canal Zone at the age of two with his parents. Don’s grandparents came to Panama during the building of the Panama Canal and both of his parents were born and raised there. Maenner was an accountant for the Panama Canal Company. Donald attended school in the Canal Zone and graduated from Balboa High School in 1955. He played high school football, racked his knee up like most football players and was an avid pole vaulter on the track and field team. Donald had three sisters. His mother promised him a brother every time, but instead came the girls, Christine, Edith and Linda. After high school, Don came to the states and attended college at RPI in Troy, New York. Don decided that college wasn’t for him, so he joined the United States Army and served in Germany from 1958 until 1961. When Don left the Army he moved to Roseville, Michigan where he met his wife, Laureen (Laurie) Duquette in 1966. They married February 23, 1968. Don and Laurie had two children, twins, Kirsten Huff and James Huff. He has three grandchildren, Samantha Dahl, Aaron Huff and Samantha Huff. At that time, Donald began his employment with IBM as a Customer Engineer. He always laughed that he repaired computers in a suit and tie and a leather briefcase filled with tools. He retired from IBM after 30 years of employment. Don became an avid golfer where he joined three golf leagues and bowled during the winter. Eventually he went to work part-time at Cedar Glen Golf Club as a starter and a ranger. He held that job for over 20 years. Donald made many good friends between his golf and bowling. He was known for telling stories. Many of them about Panama and growing up there. Don and Laurie went back to Panama a couple of times over the years and last February took a cruise through the Canal and got to see the new locks. He liked to go deer hunting with Laurie’s cousins but was not too successful. Secretly, we don’t think he wanted to kill Bambi. Don Huff was the kind of guy that was liked by just about everyone who met him. He enjoyed a good beer (no Bud for him), rum and diet, a filet and time with golfing buddies, friends and family. He is deeply missed by his wife of 56 years, Laurie, daughter Kirsten Huff, son, James Huff, sisters, Christine Fewell (Charles), Edith Willoughby, (Linda passed away in 1999), sister and brother in-laws, Christine and Mark Hothem. Grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, friends, etc. Donald B. Huff was a good, kind man and he enjoyed a good, long life…. In lieu of flowers, any donations in Donald B Huff's memory should go to The Detroit Rescue Mission (drmm.org) or the Detroit Humane Society, 7887 Chrysler Dr, Detroit, MI 48211

Donald Blanchard Huff

February 17, 1937 - January 16, 2025