HUNTLEY Louis Lafayette Huntley was born in Clay County on January 8, 1928, the son of Frank T. and Edith Lillian Hill Huntley. He graduated from Clay County High School in Green Cove Springs in 1945. He later attended the University of Florida, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1946-47 and a major in the Florida National Guard from 1951-66. After transferring to the U.S. Army Reserves, he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1973 and retired in 1991 at the rank of colonel. During this period, Mr. Huntley also dedicated much of his time to his community, serving as a Clay County Commissioner in 1962 and as a state representative from 1964-66. As a business leader, Mr. Huntley also served as president of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and was a member of both the Clay and Duval Chambers of Commerce. He was founding chairman and board member of the Clay County "Committee of 100" Economic Development Group. Involved in multiple business ventures, Huntley served as past chairman of the Kingsley Bank and also served on the board of the Heritage Bank of North Florida. He was the founding president and chief executive officer of Huntley's Jiffy Stores Inc, a convenience store chain with more than 340 locations throughout Florida and Southeast Georgia. He and his brother, William T. Huntley, operated the chain until it was sold to Docks U.S.A. in May 1990, and Mr. Huntley served on the Board of Directors through 1993. In addition to being chairman of South Lubes Inc., he was also Chairman of the Board and Director of Marketmasters of the Southeast Inc., a real estate development, sales and leasing company. At one time he served on the board of the National Association of Convenience Stores, the American Red Cross, Certified Grocers of Florida, was a member and past chairman of the Clay County Fair Association, board member of the Penney Farms Retirement Community, the Gator Boosters Inc. and was an advisory committee member of LAMB - Lake Asbury Ministries and Benevolences. Also since 1971 was a member of the Orange Park Rotary Club and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and had perfect attendance. He also served on several Boy Scout committees, working on the Black Creek District Nominating Committee, the Financing Committee and the North Florida Council Executive Board. He was recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Creek District and a Distinguished Citizen Award from the North Florida Council. The church also played a key role in Mr. Huntley's life. A faithful attendee of the United Methodist Church of Orange Park, he served as chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the building committee and served as a Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference. In his personal time, he was an avid hunter and horseman. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 54 years; his children, Frank D. Huntley; Edith Elizabeth (Kemp) Stickney; Louis Ward (Betsy) Huntley and ninegrandchildren; Eason, Anne Michael, Ashley, Macy, Taylor, Farrell, Bogan, Eliza and Crocker. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 16, 2006, from 3-5 pm and a memorial service will be held on Monday, July 17, 2006, at 2 pm at Orange Park United Methodist Church, 2051 Park Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Seamark Ranch, PO Box 600040, Jacksonville, FL 32260; North Florida Council for the Boy Scouts of America, 521 Edgewood Ave S., Jacksonville, FL 32205 or Empowerment Media, 2775 Chesterbrook Ct., Jacksonville, FL 32224. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Rivermead Funeral Home. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com
Published in the Florida Times-Union on July 14, 2006
Contributor: Catherine Huntley (49261918) • [email protected]