Charlie Edward Huff

Charlie Edward Huff (82) of Crawford, Colorado passed away quietly, surrounded by family and friends on October 17, 2024. Charlie was born December 6, 1941 in Ithaca, New York to Warren Charles and Helen Howe Yossie Huff. From age 3, Charlie grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from West High School where he was an A student and played the oboe in orchestra. After high school he relentlessly pursued his dream of flying. Seeking any opportunity to become a pilot, he served in the U.S. Army and spent a year at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After his honorable discharge, he earned an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic’s license from Spartan Aviation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to his private pilot certificate, he also earned an instructor certificate, which he used to accumulate flying hours. It was during his time at the Air Force Academy that he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and continued a life-long search for truth. 

He met Carol Irene Miller in Columbus, Ohio and they married on May 22, 1965 in Rio Grande, Ohio. For their honeymoon, they flew a single-engine airplane to Mesa, Arizona where they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple and then visited the Grand Canyon. Shortly thereafter, Charlie broke into the world of commercial aviation by accepting a position as a flight engineer with Eastern Airlines and completing his pilot training in Miami, Florida. He flew for Eastern Airlines until 1983, when he resigned as a captain to start an aerial photography business. During those years with Eastern, he and Carol welcomed eight children into their family, along with Heidi - a beloved German Shepherd/Collie mix, numerous cats, rabbits, goats, and a stubborn pony. 

Charlie was always finding “paradise” and moved the family to several locations from which homemade long commutes to his current base. In 1984, with seven children to take care of, one ready to enter college, Charlie returned to the airlines as a pilot for Continental Airlines but resolved to quit commuting. While based in Denver, he discovered Colorado’s Western Slope and fell in love. When Grand Junction got too big for him, he and Carol relocated with their two youngest children to Crawford and put down roots there. 

After his mandatory retirement at age 60, Charlie restored a 1950 Studebaker that was his pride and joy and won several awards at area car shows. He also fulfilled another dream when he built his own sport plane, a two-person Kitfox. Charlie could fix just about anything and never met a project he wouldn’t tackle. His most recent accomplishment was the restoration of a vintage tractor. 

Charlie loved attending Experimental Aircraft Association meetings and talking shop with other pilots. He was also a proud member of the Commemorative Air Force and served as their commercial pilot at air shows where he sold rides in a World War II trainer plane. His children and grandchildren got to fly with him on many occasions and always looked forward to that. 

Charlie was always willing to help anyone in need: stranded motorists or travelers, neighbors with broken tools or equipment, and any “damsel in distress.” He tucked $20 bills into stranger’s bags if he thought they needed it and brought vacation souvenirs to the woman who cleaned the bathrooms in the St. Louis airport. When his family joined him for his final commercial flight, they were treated to story after story describing ways that Charlie had served and helped his co-employees regardless of rank or position. He often forgot names, but everyone remembered Charlie. 

Throughout his life he served many in his church and community. He served on the school board in Cusick, Washington. He also volunteered with many community organizations in Crawford, Colorado - the concert series, the local water board, homeowners association, and Friends of the Crawford Library board. He also served in many leadership positions in his local church congregations. He loved his God, his family, and his country and it showed in his willingness to serve others. 

He will be remembered with love and individual memories by his wife, Carol; son, Norman Huff (Paula) of California, and daughters; Sarah Barton (Stan) of Virginia, Marianna Allred (Tom) of Delaware, Esther Rogers (Craig) of Michigan, Mita White (Joe) of Colorado, Reba Davies (Brandon) of North Carolina, and Galina Miller (Mike) of Colorado. His 24 grandchildren will miss Grandpa Charlie/Papa. His six great grandchildren were just getting to know him, and he will live on for them in pictures. Charlie also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. He is preceded in death by, and now reunited with, his son Benjamin, his beloved Uncle Norman Yossie, his parents, and brother Stanley, and sister Mary Edith. 

And as Charlie often signed his beautifully hand-written letters: “Take care until next we meet, and keep the blue side up!” 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 26 at 11am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 511 Oak Avenue in Paonia, CO. Burial will be in the Newport Cemetery, Newport, Washington at a later date. 

The family wishes to thank the dedicated and caring staff at HopeWest Hospice Center in Grand Junction for making Charlie's last days peaceful and comfortable. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to: Friends of the Crawford Library (℅ Crawford Library, 545 CO-92, Crawford, CO 81415 970-399-7783) or HopeWest Hospice Center of Grand Junction (3090 N 12th Street, Unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506 https://www.hopewestco.org/donate