Thomas C. Huckins

Thomas Clement Huckins was born in Niagara, WI to Thomas Jason and Mary Shaw Huckins. He joined an older sister, Ann and later welcomed younger brothers Jason and Kenneth. The family lived in Minnesota and the Brownsville area before settling in Drain. Known as "Red," Tom left school to join the Navy during World War II. He drove landing craft during the invasions of Iwo Jima, Ishishima, Saipan, Taipan, Tinian, Tarawa and Okinawa. and was awarded the Purple Heart.
While home on leave, he met and married Lenore Clemo. Once honorably discharged, a family and Huckins Trucking began. Tom was a proud Pop to Jeannette, Karen and Beverly, often taking them with him to the woods. At its peak, the company operated six log trucks. Tom also worked for Wimer, Bohemia, Mode, Coats and in Alaska.
Tom and Lenore divorced in 1973. He married Barbara Strohm in 1974. After her death, he married Edith Curry in 1997.
Tom helped form North Douglas Search & Rescue and also volunteered as a Reserve Deputy for the Douglas County Sheriff's Dept. He enjoyed hunting, fishing or camping trips with his siblings and their families. Recently he enjoyed reading how history described the Pacific Theater of WWII.
Tom is survived by his wife Edith; daughters Jeannette Harrison (Homer) of Mount Vernon, Karen Swearingen of Redmond, Beverly Harris (Mark) of Dallas; siblings Ann Bosley and Kenneth Huckins; 5 grandchildren; 5 great and 2 great-great grandchildren; stepdaughter Sherry Princen (Dick); stepgrandson and 7 stepgrandchildren He is predeceased by his parents, brother Jason, wife Barbara and stepgrandson Jeff..
Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 2:00pm Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 at Roseburg National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Roseburg VA Hospital.