THE REV. CHARLES HOWARD HUFFMAN
01/02/1926 - 01/23/2023
The Reverend Charles Howard Huffman was born in Houston, TX on January 2, 1926, to Benjamin Mashaw Huffman and Lattie May Loving Huffman and departed this life on January 23, 2023, in the presence of his beloved family. Chuck served in the United States Navy Reserve (Lieutenant jg) shortly after completing high school, then returned to school and graduated with a degree in physics from the University of Texas in 1949 where he was a proud member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. While at
UT, he met the love of his life, Carolyn Barlow Huffman; they were married on March 10, 1951. He then spent a decade working in various engineering and tech fields, including Shell Oil and Texas Instruments. After the death of their first child, Carl Barlow Huffman, at age 6, Chuck received his “call” to ministry and Carolyn into a career of writing and speaking about their Christian journey. After completing his education at Seminary of the Southwest, he was ordained a priest at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin in 1967 where he then served as Assistant Rector until 1971. Chuck was then called to the Pittsburgh Experiment in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1973 he, Carolyn and their three daughters returned home to Austin where Chuck became the fourth rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. He would go on to serve as Rector for an amazing 18 years, shepherding his congregation through many pivotal seasons, launching innovative programs, moving the church to its current location, and developing the far-reaching and active parish that it is today. “Padre Chuck” was made Rector Emeritus at St. Matthew’s and retired in 1991. In retirement, he and Carolyn enjoyed the adventures of his interims in the Northeast (Christ Church, Greenwich, CT; Trinity Church, Newtown, CT; & St Mark’s Church, New Canaan, CT) & two summers in the Catskills at Twilight Park.
Singing and music were instrumental in Chuck’s faith. Even at 97, Chuck “Money Note” Huffman still delighted us all with his velvety renditions of favorite hymns and standards. He was actively booking singing gigs and loved his time spent singing with the Love Notes Choir in Austin, Texas. He took his love of music as far as to become a Broadway producer for the 2016 Tony-nominated production of Fiddler on the Roof. Chuck loved his Tuesday morning men’s group, Zoom Yahtzee, traveling the world, musical theatre, watching the Longhorns, being with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and singing with his daughters.
We are filled with gratitude for his immense spiritual gifts and his 50 years of dedicated pastoral service where he was moral compass and north star to so many. Chuck is now joyfully reunited with his beloved wife Carolyn and precious children Carl Huffman and Beth Ann Sikes. Cherishing the memories are daughters Heather Huffman Pierce (and husband Tommy) of Nashville and Laura Huffman Powell of Austin; son-in-law Allen Sikes (Beth Ann’s husband); grandchildren Megan Sikes Hicks (and husband Ryan), Kailynn Powell Cannata (and husband Andrew), William Charles Powell, Benjamin Huffman Pierce, and Mark Charles Pierce; greatgrandchildren Tommy Hicks, Charlie Hicks, Molly Hicks, Oliver Cannata, and Nathalie Cannata.
As we feel the full weight of his loss, Padre Chuck would remind us to live by the lyrics of his favorite hymn: “Be not afraid, I go before you always. . . . Blessed are you who weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.” Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 2pm to 4pm in Huffman Hall at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 2pm at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Carl Barlow Huffman Scholarship Fund at the Seminary of the Southwest (501 East 32nd Street, Austin 78705, or online at ssw.edu/donations/ giving-online with “Huffman Scholarship” in the comment box).
For those unable to attend, the service will also be broadcast on the St Matthews YouTube channel.