Jerry Ray Huft

The Reverend Jerry Ray Huft 84, of Wewahitchka, Florida, died peacefully Sept 21, 2023. Born on September 27, 1938, to John and Lyda (Jarrett) Huft in Beckley, West Virginia. Attending Springfield Township High School in Akron, Ohio, he graduated in 1956. After graduation, he studied at the U.S. Naval Training Center - Great Lakes, IL, followed by submarine school in New London, Connecticut. Reaching the rank of Machinist Mate First Class while serving nine years as a submariner; sailing out of Newport News, Virginia, aboard the USS Odax, and USS Henry Clay. In 1963, Jerry met and married Jacqueline (Jackie) Ann Burlingham. Jerry and Jackie owned small businesses together while raising their children. After his Naval career, Jerry took a more active role in his spiritual life, serving as a church Deacon prior to receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from South-Eastern Bible College in Lakeland, Florida. Jerry’s background in construction was instrumental in converting an empty Presbyterian church and abandoned supermarket into the Trinity Episcopal School for the Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania where he received his Masters of Divinity. He was ordained as a priest in 1980, and served in the Episcopal church for 41 years. He built two churches, in Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka from which he retired in March 2021. He enjoyed leading a weekly bible study in his new home, Red Hills Retirement Village, in Tallahassee and spending time with his family and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by Jackie, his wife of 57 years and partner in ministry, who died of cancer November 22, 2020, his brother John Dallas Huft, and sister Carol June (Huft) Utzinger. He is survived by his four children, Lisa (Pete) Knox, John Huft, Joel (Julia) Huft, Marcy (Travis) Townsend, his five grandchildren, Lauren (Justin) Hart, Austin Zane, Ellen (Deanna) Gortt, Jacob (Kaylee) Huft, Matthew Randig, his five great-grandchildren, Olivia Hart, Thomas Parker, Emilia Hart, Vera Randig, and Henry Hart. Services will be held on October 14, 2023 11:00 a.m. CST at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church 4060 Highway 71 Wewahitchka, Florida 32465 and will be officiated by Bishop Russell Kendrick. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund www.episcopalrelief.org, an organization loved and supported by both Jerry and Jackie. The family is being assisted by James Sircy and Jackie Fulford at Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee Florida. 850.610.4444

Jerry Ray Huft

September 27, 1938 - September 21, 2023