James Frederick Huff
June 9, 1950 ~ October 10, 2024
James Frederick “Fred” Huff
James Frederick Huff, 74, of McDonough, GA, passed away on 10 October 2024, surrounded by family.
Fred was born 9 June 1950 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of the late Reverend Robert F Huff and Joyce Oliver Huff and sister, Pattie Ownbey.
Fred graduated from Rossville, GA High School in 1968, then went to Trevecca Nazarene College
(University), Nashville, TN earning a BA degree in Religion, a Master’s degree in Church World Mission from Scarritt College, Nashville, TN and further course work at Fuller Theological Seminary and Wichita State University.
Fred is survived by his wife, Dinah Kay Lee. They married on 25 March 1972 in Decatur, GA celebrating 52 years of marriage. They had two children, son, Shane Oliver Huff (Kristina, Cole and Olivia and Noah), Oxon Hill, MD and daughter, Jaime Lee Huff Swarner (Jonathan), Loganville, GA and three grandchildren, Helen Claire Huff (Berk), Virginia Beach, VA, Simon Andrew Huff, Dalhgren, VA, Jeremy Swarner (Loganville)
Fred was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and held positions of Youth Pastor (Wichita, KS and Nashville, TN), Career Planning and Placement Counselor, Trevecca Nazarene University, Missionary Pastor, New Zealand, Church Growth and Evangelism Coordinator/Missionary, Africa Region, Vice- President of Church Relations, Trevecca Nazarene University; District Superintendent of the Georgia District Church of the Nazarene, Regional Director of the Africa Region Church of the Nazarene, International Director of Global Pastor’s Network, District Superintendent of the New Mexico District Church of the Nazarene, Georgia District Church of the Nazarene Director of New Church Development.
Fred received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Trevecca Nazarene University.
Fred enjoyed playing football in high school and college, singing, a fan of Alabama football, going to garage sales and spending time with Dinah, his family and friends.
Fred lived life to the fullest and never met a stranger. He had a passion for evangelism. He had a hearty laugh and a warm smile and a gift for making people feel encouraged and valued. He enjoyed life, laughter and loved everyone.
Celebration Service of the Gift of Dr. J Fred Huff
October 15, 2024 – Jackson Church of the Nazarene 1523 GA-16, Jackson, GA 30233
Visitation: 10 am -Service 11:00 am
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Adrian Camp & Conference Center
Mail to: Mrs. Becky Meeks, PO Box 489, Dublin, GA 31040 Interment: East Lawn Memorial Park
640 McGarity Road, McDonough, GA 30252
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Fred was a great person to be with. Over the last 50+ years, our paths would cross and he was always very welcoming and open for conversation. My favorite memory is when he was driving some of us on mission trip around Kruger National Park in South Africa. A huge elephant, flappinng its ears, started coming straight towards the van we were in. I had my movie camera out of the window filming the event. On the video, while Fred was backing up as fast as he could, you can hear him say, “You guys are wanting to take pictures as we are about to die.” Fred brought joy to those he came in contact.
Dr Fred was a dear friend and one of the most unique individuals I have known. He was 100% fun to be around but also 100% serious about advancing the work of the kingdom. I will miss him. Blessings on Dinah and family.
I’ve had five district superintendents in the time I was a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, and he was my favorite. He had a great temperament for being a leader. He let me be the individual that I was and didn’t try to force me to conform. I needed someone like that at that point in my mininstry. I was grateful and learned from it. Will miss him. Prayers are offered up for Dinah and the rest of the family.
Dr. Fred Huff was my Africa Regional Director, Church of the Nazarene. He was great man of God with pastoral heart.
Dinah and family,
I am saddened to hear of Fred’s passing. He was a great man and special friend to my family. His days on staff at NFCN were impactful on many – especially the youth department. I’ll never forget him attending visitation when my sister Edwynna passed away. It meant so much to us. She had traveled to Haiti on a mission trip with him.
Fred always had a smile and a warm handshake. I remember him telling on himself one night before he spoke saying that he would put a mint in his mouth before he preached to help keep his sermons to the point and not too long. He fessed up that on one occasion he couldn’t realize why the mint hadn’t melted….he has mistaken a button for the mint. Good memories!!
Praying for comfort during the days ahead.
Much love,
Andrae Bynum
We fondly remember Fred from his time serving on the Africa Region, first in evangelism and church growth, and then as regional director. He made a positive contribution to so many and will certainly be missed. Our prayers are with Dinah and the family. David & Rhoda Restrick
Dear Ones,
The Lord brought Fred to my mind today. Now I know why. As a twelve year old girl in Jacksonville Florida, Fred came to our church working with the youth. Fred would visit my grandmother, a retired Nazarene pastor, Rev. Hazel Gold. I remember, Fred telling me he got some of his sermon thoughts from her. We all loved Fred in the teen department. Later in 1974, I enrolled at Trevecca, the year Millard Reed came to First church as pastor. Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord brings our past to us! What precious memories. Fred is with His Jesus he loved and served and with the dear saints that mentored him! Dinah, you didn’t know me, but my prayers are with you. Much love,
Janice Glenn Reaves
Trevecca class of 1978
Jacksonville, Florida
I always loved to see Dr. Huff during district assembly. He was so fun and jovial and his smile lit up a room! A true man of God and a beacon of light in all of the ministries in which he served. May God bless the Huff family.
Ebony Applebery
Sandia Church of the Nazarene
I played on the same intramural football team at Trevecca with Fred for two years. He was a strong dominating player who always played with a Christian attitude. Our paths have never crossed since but I can attest to what a great person he was and fondly remember the Saturday afternoons we spent playing football at Trevecca. My condolences to the family. Joe Brigman