Jeffrey Lane Huckaba of McKinney, Texas passed away on April 4, 2020 at the age of 58. This larger than life man who loved God, country, and family was born on December 17, 1961 to Franklin North Huckaba and Vera Jean (Jenkins) Huckaba in Houston, Texas. As a military “brat” and son of a Senior Master Sergeant, Jeff grew up all over the world on various military bases: New York, Texas, Montana, California, Missouri, as well as Japan and Germany. He graduated in 1980 from Marshfield High School in Missouri, where he lettered in both football and baseball. After graduation, he went on to play college football and baseball at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri. Jeff received his Bachelor’s degree in Education. For most of his career, he was a teacher and a football coach at the high school, junior college, and collegiate level, with his last teaching and coaching position being at McKinney North High School. Jeff was a passionate, energetic, and supportive teacher and coach, and as such he assisted in molding the minds, hearts, and character of so many of the young people that he interacted with in the classroom and on the field. His students loved him, and he loved them, and they became part of the Huckaba clan. Jeff hung up his whistle and cleats in 2008 and transitioned to a career in sales. His friendly, outgoing, and caring nature made him a natural for these roles. Since 2013, he had been working as a regional sales manager for Packard, a manufacturer and distributor of HVAC parts and components, where he was affectionately known as “Coach”. He loved driving and tinkering with his Corvette. He loved creating and working with tools and wood. Some of the fondest memories his daughters have of him are working in the workshop together. Above all else, he loved being a father to his two sweet girls. “Papa” was so very proud of them, and they were the light of his life. We will miss his gap-toothed smile, his infectious laughter, and his unwavering strength of character.
Jeff is survived by his daughters, Taylor Huckaba of Oceanside, California and McLaren Huckaba of McKinney, Texas and their mother, Kristi Huckaba of McKinney, Texas; brother, Todd Huckaba of Midland, Texas; sisters, Sheila Huckaba Dunn and Babbette Huckaba Farrow, both of Springfield, Missouri; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other loving family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Pamela Baxter, and his faithful canine companion, Buddy.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2020 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Interment is to follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. Family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m at the funeral home.
Memorial donations can be made to Cowtown Warriors, https://www.cowtownwarriors.com/ and Give Kids The World, https://www.gktw.org/
In support of our local, state, and federal govt including CDC directives and to protect the physical health, safety and well-being of our community, only a limited number of invited guests will be allowed to attend the Funeral Service.
The service will also be live streamed on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. on the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Facebook page and a recorded video will be available following the funeral service on Jeff’s obituary page.
However, those who like to honor Jeff and show their support to his family may come to the funeral home where ample parking is available. While you remain in your vehicle, you may watch the live streamed service on your personal device (laptop, tablet or smartphone).
Following the funeral service, a procession will make its way to Ridgeview Memorial Park for a committal service where all are invited to attend the committal service by standing at a minimum distance of 20 feet from the tent and 6 feet apart from one another to comply with social distancing directives or you may remain in your vehicle. You will be able to listen to the service through speakers set up at the gravesite.
A “come and go” visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home – Allen. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to comply with social and physical distancing directives.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories and expressions of sympathy on Jeff's obituary page at TJMfuneral.com