Obituary of Ronald (McGee) L Huffman
Ronald (McGee) L Huffman, 76 of Duluth, MN passed away December 5th peacefully at his home on Superior St from a
very short battle with cancer. Ron was born on December 17th 1932 at his parent’s, Marvin and Erma (Cooke) Huffman’s home in Peoria, IL. He graduated from Princeville Illinois High School, in 1950. In 1952, during the Korean War, Ron joined the Air Force. There he trained for his dream job, Air Traffic Control (ATC).
After 4 years of duty, Ron worked at the busiest airport in the world, Midway (MDW) in Chicago; there he married Vera May Bouton on December 30th 1959 after which he transferred to the newly built O’Hare (ORD) in 1961. Ron worked at O’ Hare for 12 years and had 3 children while in Chicago - Marv (Chareen) Huffman of Coon Rapids, MN, Rhonda (Ron) Daum of Peoria, IL and Jo Ellen Parker of Celina, OH. Ron transferred several times before retirement; Springfield IL tower (SPI) 1973-1975, Duluth, MN tower (DLH) 1975-1985 and area manager at the Minneapolis MN tower (MSP) 1985-1987. Ron retired from the FAA in 1987 but did not leave his profession. After retirement he taught Air Traffic Control at the University of Oklahoma from 1987-1988.and Chicago - O’Hare, TRACON from 1988-1994. He went back to his dream job of controlling at the Anoka tower, Jane’s Field in Blaine Minnesota in 1994 until October 3rd 2009 ending 56 years of dedicated service.
McGee’s wife and children were with him at his home when he passed. Also with him in love and prayers were his 4 sisters, Ruth Fosse in Woodstock, IL, Eileen Rickey in West Bend, WS, Lynda (Dick) Stone in Princeville, IL and Gail (Ken) Campbell in Argyle, TX. ; 6 grandchildren, Private Joseph O’Neill in Fort Riley KS, Jessica (Joey) Sarnes in Princeville IL, Britta and Shayla Huffman in Coon Rapids and Alex and Beth Parker in Celina; 2 great- grandchildren, Kaiden and Kyler Sarnes and many nieces, nephews, friends and Air Traffic Controllers.
McGee was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Gregory Parker
He was an avid fisherman never missing fishing opener on the island for the last 12 years. He was also a dedicated Viking’s fan, GO VIKES, almost to the point of face painting. He will be sadly missed by all fisherman and sports fans
A memorial service will be held at the Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home in Princeville, IL. on Saturday, December 12th at 2PM. Visitation will be one hour before service. McGee will be buried in Stringtown cemetery outside of Duncan, IL.
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