Rick Allan Hufford, our father, brother, son and good friend to many, passed from this world July 29, 2016, to find peace with his father and his grandparents.
Rick was born in Ithaca, New York on Sept. 19, 1951, to Jean and Howard Hufford. He and his family moved to Arizona where he went to school and met his wife, Melissa DeLesdernier. They were later divorced, but shared 2 sons, Shaun (Erika) Hufford and Robert (Kelly) Hufford, both of whom he was very proud of and loved very much.
He moved to Utah in about 1976 to work in the coal mines, and worked at Soldier Creek Coal Mine (which became Dugout Mine) until he retired a few years ago. Rick made many friends during his 30+ years of coal mining, because he was a very likable guy who never wanted to be a bother to anyone. He lived a very simple life, kept a clean house and did not want anyone to disturb his space. Since he did not like to travel far from his comfort zone, he kept in touch with his family by many long telephone calls, which kept him very entertained.
For many years, Rick loved to go hunting, fishing, and boating with his friends and family. His favorite part of hunting was being the camp cook, which he excelled at. He also loved to cook at home and anybody who showed up was welcome to share his great tasting chili, spaghetti or anything he cooked on the grill. For the past few years, Rick found peace at home, watching old westerns on TV until the wee hours of the morning. He could also be found sitting around a bonfire with his friends and family, listening to guitar music and telling stories about “Goliath the Goldfish”.
Rick leaves behind a family that loved him and will miss him very much including his sons, grandsons Noah Hufford, Parker Hufford, and Trevor (Makayla) Pogue. His mother Jean lives in Tucson, and he called her every Sunday without fail. He also leaves behind his brother Mark (Tammy) of Scottsdale, sisters Dawn (Robert) Esparza and Brenda (Raul) Sanchez, Phoenix, and Denise (Fred) Sanchez of Price, and many nieces and nephews that loved their Uncle Rick very much and will miss his “presence” at the next neighborhood bonfire. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts, uncles and his Carbonville family, Mike and Cindy Schmitz.
He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Hufford, and grandparents, and many aunts and uncles, too numerous to mention.
We would like to thank everyone at Castleview Hospital for their wonderful care during his stay and we thank them for all their efforts to keep Rick comfortable, long enough for all of us to see him one more time. It was his wishes that there be no services held, so the family will hold their own gathering. In Rick’s memory, please spend some quality time with family and friends as he loved to do.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are welcome to share memories of Rick online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net