Merle Calvin Hufford Jr.

Deceased - March 2, 2021

Posted

Merle Calvin Hufford Jr. passed away March 2, 2021 with his devoted wife, Vicki, daughter, Heidi, and beloved golden retriever, Holly, by his side. He was 80 years old.

He was the son of Merle C. Hufford Sr. and Grace Umphlette Hufford and was born in Port Townsend, Washington.

He graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1958. While in high school he was freshman, sophomore, and junior class president and student body president in his senior year. He was involved in many activities especially music and football and was known as MC by many growing up.

He graduated in accounting from the University of Washington and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He played multiple instruments, and played the trumpet as a member of the Husky Marching Band. He was a loyal Husky forever. It was not uncommon to have an impromptu sing-a-long around a piano!

After college he was hired by Standard Oil (Chevron) he made the move from Seattle to San Francisco and on a visit home he met his love Vickums. They were married just shy of 53 years. After 32 years with Chevron, he retired in 1997.

During his Chevron tenure he became a CPA and had the great fortune of taking his family on assignment to London, England and the jungle in Sumatra, Indonesia. He traveled and played golf around the world! He was an avid sports lover of golf, the Washington Huskies, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Seattle Mariners.

His career was mainly in the Bay area, living in his beloved town of Clayton. During retirement a new career of volunteerism kept him busy working as Clayton City Treasurer for 20 years, Chevron Retirees Association Treasurer for eight years, and an AARP tax consultant doing taxes for seniors for many years. No worries though, he managed to schedule a round of golf in between duties!

Merle is survived by his wife Vicki; daughter Heidi Kime and her husband Brad; his grandchildren Baxter and Hadley; sister Carolyn Abolins and her husband Talis; and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank-you to his amazing caregivers Mark, Brian, Bhey, and Rex as well as the impressive care from the team with Hospice of East Bay. A private celebration will be held later this year.

Donations can be made to City of Clayton, Merle Hufford-Memorial Bench, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, CA 94517 or Hospice East Bay: hospiceeastbay.org.