John Statler Huff

John Statler Huff lived 85 years. He passed away on July 17, 2025, in Simi Valley.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Simi Valley Community Church on August 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

John was born in El Centro, CA to Cecil and Esther Huff on February 8, 1940. He was their second son. He had four brothers, Clyde, Richard, David and Bob and one sister, Elizabeth.

John graduated from Imperial High School located in Imperial, CA. He then attended and graduated from Westmont College located in Santa Barbara. Later, he earned a master’s degree in Counselor Education at USC.

John worked as a teacher and Title I (a government program that provides funding for schools with low-income families needing extra support) coordinator for the Simi Valley Unified School District for 37 years.

John is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Pat, and their two sons, Steve and Mark. Steve married Laurie Pointer and they have four children, Kimberly, Robert, Jared and Becky. Mark married Julie Kerr and they have 3 children, Katie, Merritt and Anna.

Kimberly is married to Samuel Bennett and they have one daughter, Lizzie. Katie is married to Manny Coronilla and they have one son named Ethan. Jared married Toni Ramirez and Merritt married Wes Friesen. In total there are 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

John loved his Lord Jesus Christ and he loved music and people. He was very active in his church serving as a Deacon for many years and as a teacher, leading classes for college-aged students, singles, and parents. He also sang in the choir for years.

For seven summers, he drove to the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming to work at a Christian camp named Camp Bethel. His job was to train the counselors and run the summer camping program.

After retiring from the school district, John joined MMAP (Mobil Missionary Assistance Program). He traveled to Christian camps and churches throughout the western US and completed projects consisting of handy work and construction. He completed four three-week projects a year over a period of ten years.

Whenever John was on vacation in Desert Hot Springs at Catalina Spa, he loved to play pickle ball with the snowbirds. When he came home from those trips, he had nowhere to play his favorite game and nobody to play with. He asked Don Hunt, who was on the Parks and Recreation board, to start Pickleball classes in Simi Valley so he could play when he was at home. Ten years later, John got his wish and a Pickleball class was finally offered. The city went on to build several Pickleball courts in the park, becoming a popular pastime for all ages.

John was a wonderful husband and father. He lived a full life and has gone home to live his reward.

Any memorial donations may be made to Samaritans Purse PO Box 3000, Boone NC 28607-3000.