James "Jim" Callie Huffman, III

James “Jim” Callie Huffman III, 70, of Macon, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.  The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2022, at Hart’s at the Cupola, followed by a Celebration of Life at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in the form of a check to the Masonic Home of Georgia, an organization of which Jim was very supportive. Make sure to write “In Memory of Jim Huffman” on the memo line. Checks may be sent to P.O. Box 4183, Macon, GA, 31208.

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 17 years, Charlene Huffman, of Macon; daughter, Amanda Larson (Dan), of Clarksville, Indiana; stepchildren, Dennine Payne (Steve), of Griffin Georgia, and Tina Majors (Mike), of Thomaston, Georgia; granddaughter, Naomi Larson; step-grandchildren: Josh Key (Evan), Bo Harrison, Charlie Payne, and Avery Key; brothers, Jeffery Huffman (Sherry), of Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Jerry Huffman (Vicki), of Sellersburg, Indiana; many nieces, nephews, friends, and his beloved pet Lucy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Callie Huffman, Jr. and Marilyn Loy Huffman; and his sister, Jacqueline Skinner.

Jim Huffman was born and raised in New Albany, Indiana, an Ohio River town across the river from Louisville, KY. From an early age Jim belonged to the Cub and Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Navy in February 1972. Jim trained at the Naval Electronics school. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the USS Okinawa, a Marine Helicopter carrier as an electronics technician. He was deployed to Vietnam on three separate occasions, earning the rank of E-5 in 2 ½ years. Jim was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Navy in December 1975. In 1976 he was accepted in the apprenticeship program as an Ordinance Equipment Mechanic at the Naval Ordinance Station, Louisville, KY, graduating the program in 1980. In 1989 he was promoted to a white-collar position, first as an Equipment Specialist and eventually to Program Manager. During this time Jim attended night school at Indiana University earning Business Supervision and Logistics Management certificates. Naval Ordinance station was slated to close in 1995. In February 1996 Jim was transferred to Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC) as a Program Manager. Jim and his family moved to Warner Robins, GA. In 2000 he was promoted again to Program Management Team Leader, where he led a team of technicians, supply chain managers, engineers, contracting officers and depot repair managers. His team developed a Nuclear certified Equipment Life Cycle Extension process. This process became the USAF standard and was incorporated in the course syllabus at the USAF Nuclear Training school. In 2006 Jim received the prestigious Col Meredith Mynhier Award for best Program Manager at WR-ALC, competing with over 300 other Program Managers. In 2007 Jim was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Medal. 

Jim was a member of the Macon Motor Boat Club where he served 9 years on the Board of Directors, Vice President in 2017 and 2 years as President in 2007 and 2008. Jim loved nothing more than to be floating along in the water, or cruising the lake with a boat full of friends. He is a past member of the Forsyth Rotary Club serving as Secretary in 2008 and 2009 and was awarded as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a current member and Past President (2019) of the Forsyth-Monroe Kiwanis club and also served as Treasurer and Vice President. He has been a member of the American Legion since 1998. Jim was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Houston Lodge #35 on September 23, 1996, and was a 2001 Past Master. He served as Secretary in 2005 and 2006 and was honored as the Smoky Harper Mason of the year in 2005. Jim is a perpetual member of Strict Observance #18, a Past Master in 2008 and Mason of the year in 2011. Current Secretary of Strict Observance #18 for the last four years and served four years as Director of the Work. Jim was a charter member of Middle Georgia Daylight Lodge #756. Jim was appointed as District Deputy to the Grand Master in the 6th Masonic District in 2014 and served in that capacity for 5 years.

Jim was exalted as a Royal Arch Mason in February of 1998 in Austin Chapter No. 18 in Fort Valley. He served as High Priest in 2003. He served as High Priest of the 12th District Chapter Convention in 2008. He received the order of High Priesthood in May 2014. Jim was received as a Royal and Select Master in February of 1998, in H.C. Rigdon, Jr Council No. 35 in Fort Valley. He served as Illustrious Master in 2006. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel in May 2014. Jim was created a Knight Templar in Ivanhoe Commandery No. 10 in Fort Valley and served as Eminent Commander in 2004. Jim is a recipient of 6 Grand Commander awards. He was made a Knight Crusader of the Cross on May 2014. 

In 2019 Jim served as Eminent Grand Captain of the Guard of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Georgia. He was awarded the prestigious Knight Templar Cross of Honor award in 2020 by Right Eminent Grand Commander Brandon S. Yarbrough. Jim served as Aide-de-Camp to Right Eminent Grand Treasurer Bobby S. Simmons of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. 

Jim has been involved in Chartering Invitational Bodies in Georgia. He was a charter member of Middle Georgia York Rite College in 2008, and was currently serving as Governor. He was the Charter Scribe of Crowned Martyrs Council No. 120 Knights Masons USA in 2016. The Grand Council of Knights Masons awarded Jim with the “Knight Commander of Zerubbabel Award.” He became the Primus (Charter) Junior Warden of Georgia Court No. 124 of the Masonic Order of Athelstan in 2017 and served as Worshipful Master. He was also Charter Secretary of the South Georgia College Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis SRCIF (Rosicrucian’s) in 2019. 

Jim was a member of many Invitational bodies He received the rank and title of Knight of the York Cross of Honour from Georgia Priory No. 39 in 2007 and was currently serving as Deputy Prior. Also, a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, New Covenant Conclave serving as Recorder since 2017. A Dual member of Georgia Council No. 304 and Horace L. Whitlock Council No.309 of the Allied Masonic Degrees. A member of Oglethorpe Chapel No. 21 of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon. He was a dual member of Georgia College Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis. He was a Knight Priest in Upper Room Tabernacle No. XLV Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests. Other memberships include the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptors, The Grand Worthy Chief's Council of the Universal Craftsman Council of Engineers. He was a 5th degree member of the Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers. He was to be one of the Charter members of the new Stone Mountain Assemblage in Georgia. Jim is also a member of the Valley of Middle Georgia Scottish Rite and the Al Sihah Shrine in Macon, and a member of Middle Ga Misfits Shrine Club and Knights of Mecca, part of a team conferring Blue Lodge Degrees upon Lodge request.

Above all he was a beloved son, father, grandfather, husband, and friend, and will be missed by many. His impact in the community will be felt for years to come. 

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of the arrangements.