David “Dave” James Hufford, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Morristown, Tennessee, on March 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, following a downhill journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dave was born on November 20, 1946, in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was raised and spent his early years. He went on to attend Ball State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree that would lay the foundation for a lifelong career in both education and insurance & investments.

In the early 1970s, Dave moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he began teaching wood shop at Deerfield Beach High School for about 8 years. It was in FL that life took a meaningful turn when he met his wife Nancy in 1974. The two were married in 1979, building a life centered on love and family. Nancy had been widowed in 1972 and was raising her two sons, Eric and Brian Penick, whom Dave lovingly adopted, embracing fatherhood as his own. Together, they later welcomed their daughter, Kara, in 1981. After settling in the Orlando area, Dave continued his passion for teaching at Tuskawilla Middle School, where he worked as a wood shop and technology teacher for 26 years before retiring from teaching in 2009.

In addition to his career in education, Dave dedicated many years to helping others through insurance and investment services. He served educators throughout Seminole County, Florida, and clients in northern Pennsylvania, eventually founding his own insurance agency, which he operated with integrity and care until he retired.

Dave found his greatest joy in his family. He loved traveling, boating, relaxing at the beach, taking road trips, and basketball. Family gatherings, especially Easter celebrations and holidays, were among his most treasured times. He had a well-known love for chocolate and cranberries and could enjoy a good cup of coffee at any hour of the day or night. His fellow teachers fondly remember the “coffee bar” he created in his classroom, a welcoming space for all to gather and connect. Dave also loved attending parties, often showing up in light-up or blinking ties, bright colors, or playful outfits that reflected his fun-loving spirit. An eternal optimist, he brought joy to those around him with his humor and willingness to be delightfully silly.

A devoted and compassionate caregiver, Dave demonstrated extraordinary love and dedication by caring for his father until he passed at the age of 100. Dave and Nancy shared a love for seasonal living, spending summers at their home in Pennsylvania to escape the Florida heat, and later enjoying spring and autumn months in Morristown, Tennessee.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Selma Hufford. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Hufford of Morristown, Tennessee, and Lake Mary, Florida, who cared for him with unwavering devotion; his sons, Eric Hufford of Littleton, Colorado, and Brian Hufford (Trisha) of White Pine, Tennessee; his daughter, Kara Mitchell (Brian) of Littleton, Colorado; and his beloved granddaughter, Aubrey Mitchell of Littleton, Colorado. He is also survived by his three sisters, Joan Smith of Indiana, Barbara Lindsay of Nevada, and Margit Paulk of Texas, along with many nieces and nephews.

Dave will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, and the deep love he had for his family and friends. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the memories that will be cherished forever.

A Memorial Gathering of Friends will be Friday, April 3, 2026 at Farrar Funeral Home, White Pine from 2:00-4:00 p.m.