Ray Huff Jr.

Former state delegate Walter Ray Huff Jr., 72, of Pasadena, died of pancreatic cancer Aug. 20 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie after a five-month illness.

Mr. Huff owned and operated W. Ray Huff and Associates insurance agency in Pasadena for 47 years. A member of Anne Arundel County Independent Insurance Agents, he also belonged to the Glen Burnie Chamber of Commerce, Pasadena Business Association and Life Underwriters.

He served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1986 to 1994 and was a member of the Stoney Creek, Roland Terrace and Lake Shore Democratic clubs. He also was the first secretary-treasurer of the Anne Arundel County Housing Authority. In 1968 he was named an honorary deputy sheriff for Anne Arundel County.

Very active in the community, he was a member of many organizations, including American Legion Post 40, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 434, Glen Burnie Elks 2266, Optimists International, Pasadena Moose, Glen Burnie Masonic Lodge 214, Shriners and Boumi Temple, the YMCA and the Y Indian Guides, the American Cancer Society and Harundale Presbyterian Church. He organized the first community sunrise Easter service in Glen Burnie.

Mr. Huff started the county's first Optimist Junior Achiever group and was the past president of Suburbia Civic Association. He also was past president of the PTAs at Point Pleasant and Fort Smallwood Elementary schools and a member of the Pasadena Elementary School Citizens Advisory Committee.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., where he graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School, he lived in Glen Burnie 11 years, then moved to Pasadena, where he resided for 38 years. He served in the Navy during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Nancy Parrish Huff, whom he married Dec. 6, 1969; two sons, Michael Huff of Glen Burnie and David Huff of Pasadena; two daughters, Deborah Williams of Annapolis and Nancy Nicklow of Pasadena; one sister, Joyce Lofmark of Marblehead, Mass.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was the son of the late W. Ray and Katie Huff and brother of the late Jean Williams.

Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and Friday and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Harundale Presbyterian Church, 1020 Eastway in Glen Burnie. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

Copyright © 2007 Capital Gazette Communications, Inc. , Annapolis, Md. 8/22/07