Jimmy Keith Huckaby passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 1, 2024, at Medical City Hospital in Plano. He went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 83 years old. Jim was born near Pauls Valley in Garvin County Oklahoma on June 23, 1940. Proceeding Jim in his death are his parents Leslie and Thelma Huckaby, brother Dale Huckaby, sister Nancy Seawell, son Steve Huckaby, and great-grandson Knox Floyd. Jim is survived by his wife, Dot Burchfield Huckaby, sister Sandy Cestarte (Paul) Howe, son Chris Huckaby (Alyson) Carrollton, daughter Wendy Blaine (Kevin) The Colony, son Brian Christopher (Jennifer) Gunter, and daughter Kim Vogel (Dieter) Van Alstyne, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and one baby Huckaby on the way.
Jim graduated from Irving High School in 1958 before entering the United States Air Force. Jim was honorably discharged in 1962 in order to return home to help support his mother and younger siblings after the death of his father.
Jim began his career at Texas Instruments in 1964 as a manufacturing engineering technician. TI is where he later met the love of his life Dot in 1977. Jim and Dot wed and blended their families on May 6, 1978, and enjoyed 46 years of joyous marriage. Jim enjoyed his career for over 37 years until his retirement from Raytheon in 2000. Jim enjoyed several hobbies such as scuba diving and photography. After retirement, he took on many new challenges including painting, guitar, and refurbishing old pocket watches.
Jim was an active member of the Howe community serving on the Planning and Zoning Board before being elected to the Howe City Council where he served for over 10 years before building a new home in Luella, TX. Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church of Howe for over 46 years where he enjoyed being a part of Harold Finney’s men’s bible study group, who he lovingly referred to as the “salty dogs.” Jim and Dot enjoyed their time in a monthly couple’s bible study started by Bill and Bonnie Smith where they enjoyed fellowship, dinner, and dessert with some of their closest friends, Freddy and Judy Vestal, Doc and Daisie Smithwick, Alton and Jean Norman, and Carolyn Cavender.
During retirement, Jim enjoyed serving others through his church, working part-time at LifeWay Christian Bookstore, and loved volunteering at Perrin Air Force Base Historical Museum. Jim also enjoyed spending time with family, especially his children and grandchildren, and taking care of his beautiful lawn. But the most precious thing Jim had on this earth was his wife Dot, who he loved deeply for over 46 years.
Jim’s life was a reflection of Christ’s love. He was a kind gentleman who loved serving others and led by example with his deeds, not his words. He loved his Lord, his family, and his friends. They will deeply miss his sweet presence on this earth until they are reunited with him in heaven.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 3 from 6 to 8 PM at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, Texas. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at First Baptist Church, Howe, Texas on Saturday, May 4 at 2 PM. Graveside services will follow directly at Oak Hill Cemetery, Whitewright, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Perrin Air Force Historical Museum, 436 McCullum, Denison, TX 75020, The Veterans Memorial Fund of Grayson County, The American Cancer Society – Melanoma Foundation, or First Baptist Church Howe, Texas.