Clinton John “Huck” Huckins

May 6, 1944 - January 5, 2021 Marina

It is with great sadness that the family of Clinton John Huckins (Huck) announces his peaceful passing, on January 5, 2021, at the age of 76 years. Clinton passed away with his son, John Ross Huckins, his stepdaughter Twinkle (Travis) Davidson and former wife, Teresita Huckins at his bedside. Clinton is survived by his mother Maria Homer, his brother Alex Huckins, and his half-brother Michael Homer, his nephew Cameron Homer and his step grandchildren, Ethan, Gage and Justin. Clinton was predeceased by his father Herman Huckins, his stepfather Gregory Homer and his stepson Dober Ditona. Born in Punta Arenas, Chile, Huck had quite an adventurous childhood traveling the world with his mother and father, Herman Huckins, who had been stationed in southern Chile as Navy Serviceman. His mother, Maria Ross was the daughter of Scottish sheep farmers that had settled in the Patagonia region of Chile. In 1964, at the age of 17, Huck left Chile and joined the US Navy where he attended the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Michigan. It was there that Huck acquired an interest in things that exploded and started his career as a Gunner’s Mate. Soon after his training in 1968, Huck started his tour of duty in Vietnam as a Sentry Dog Handler in Danang. It should be noted that although quite rare, Huck and his younger brother, Alex, a United States Marine serviceman, were serving in Vietnam at the same time. After the Vietnam tour, Huck left the Navy and moved to Montreal, Canada to live with his mother and family. After realizing that civilian life was not for him, he re-enlisted in the Navy. His Naval career continued with a posting to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This is where he was recruited into the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Program. The rest of Huck’s military career was with EOD Mobile Units on the West Coast where he became an EOD instructor and earned the rank of Master Diver and Master Bomb Technician. Huck, was very well respected in his Naval EOD community, serving multiple tours around the world including the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. It was while serving on a tour in the Philippines, that Huck met Tessie and started family life. This was followed by a posting in Hawaii where Huck and Tessie raised their children. Huck and family later moved to San Diego where he finished off his naval career of 27 years in Coronado. After the Navy, Huck continued to work as an explosive expert with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers with postings in Oklahoma and Alabama. In 1995, he ended up finally settling down in Monterey as the Unexploded Ordinance Safety Specialist for the Fort Ord Military Munitions Response Program. He worked with 2 beloved dogs, Oscar, and Felix. This was Huck’s dream job since he was able to be outdoors, drive off road and be with his dogs while he worked. After 19 years, in 2014, Huck retired to enjoy life in Marina with his dogs and walks along endless beaches. Huck continued to be an active member in his community after retirement. Huck’s love for dogs never ended. Once his two dogs, Oscar and Felix crossed the rainbow bridge, he fostered dogs. He finally adopted another dog, whom he named Oscar II (he had quite a sense of humor). He was a board member of his HOA and volunteered at his local park in helping clean up to ensure a better community for all. Huck was very well liked in his neighborhood as he was known for walking his 4 legged friends and always saying hello to whomever passed by. He went to his local coffee shop everyday and had a social group of friends who met every evening to walk their dogs at the local park. Huck was a man of honor, proud to have served his country, a man of his word, full of wisdom, big heart, and an adoring and caring father, son, brother, friend and family man. He will be missed by all. The date for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later time.