Ralph Huffstutter
COLUMBIA — Ralph Huffstutter of Naples, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. He was 91 years old.
He was born Jan. 24, 1920, in Obion, Tenn., to Melvin and Virginia (Puckett) Huffstutter. He married Betty Weisenborn on June 1, 1943, in St. Joseph.
Mr. Huffstutter joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 and served in Europe during World War II. As a flight engineer, he worked in both B-17 and B-24 airplanes.
Following his stint in the military, Mr. Huffstutter tried his hand in the commercial orchard business with his father-in-law in St. Joseph. He formed Huffstutter Orchards in the 1950s and bought orchards in New Franklin, Boonville and Summer Hill, Ill.
Today, Huffstutter Orchards grows apples, peaches, pears, gourds, pumpkins and other squash. Mr. Huffstutter sold the business to his son in 1986 and retired to Naples.
Mr. Huffstutter was active in the mid-Missouri community. He served as treasurer on the St. Joseph School Board, was president of the Missouri State Horticulture Society and was a 32nd-degree Mason.
Mr. Huffstutter also served as a board member of the Exchange Bank in New Franklin and was a member of the First Christian Church in Fayette.
Mr. Huffstutter is survived by his son, Richard Huffstutter of Columbia; twin grandchildren, Wesley Huffstutter of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Clayton Huffstutter of Dallas; and three great-grandchildren.
His wife died earlier.
A family service will be held in St. Joseph.
Memorial contributions may be sent to First Christian Church, 307 N. Church St., Fayette, MO 65248.
Condolences can be posted at parkerfuneralservice.com.
