Lora Mae Messick Huff went to be with the Lord on July 19, 2006. She was born on March 21, 1916, to Russell Messick and Emeline Daniels in Grenville, New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnie W. Huff and is survived by a daughter, Darlene Harris, Two sons, John and Gerald, eight grandchildren, Sharon, Steve, Mike, Kathy, John, Mark, Mitzi and Gerry, and nine great grandchildren. Lora Mae had a pioneering spirit, leaving California with her husband and three children in 1948 to catch a ship out of Seattle, WA and settling in a small fishing village in Southeastern Alaska, called Craig. They purchased their first trolling boat that same year and began a 30 year Alaskan adventure of commercial fishing. After five years, they moved the family to Ketchikan, Alaska where Lora supported Johnie as he captained the Maelene, the Bremerton, and finally the Loreli L,trolling for salmon and halibut. She faithfully maintained the home and family on shore while he was away at sea. They left Alaska and retired in Security, CO, in 1978 to be near their son and daughter and their families. After Johnie passed away in 1894, Lora Mae lived in her condo in Heritage Park in Colorado Springs until she began to fail soon after her 90th birthday in March of 2006. She passed asay, peacefully, at the Pikes Peak Hospice on July 19th. Lora Mae was a strong Christian woman, wife, and mother. She faced the many trials and tribulations of being the wife of a commercial fisherman with calmness, patience, and great fortitude. Her constant steadfastness from her faith bolstered her family in times of the disasters every commercial fisherman experiences, and her continual prayers and encouragement helped her husband and her children achieve their personal goals. She was a member of Radiant Assembly of God Church and co-founder of "Women of Courage, Inc." She will be remembered with great admiration and love. She was a "Special" lady. A "Celebreation of Life" memorial service will be held at the Radiant Assembly of God Church, 4202 Maizeland Rd., at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 24 2006. She will then be reunited in burial with her husband at Fairview Cemetery.
(Published in The Gazette on 7/21/2006.