MINNEOLA – John "Jack" R. Huggard, III, 78, died Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the Minneola District Hospital.

He was born June 29, 1945 at Dodge City, the son of John, Jr. and Nadine E. (Adams) Huggard.  He was a 1963 graduate of Wavely High School and received his Associates Degree in 1965 from Dodge City Community College.  He enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 obtaining the rank of Sergeant.  He served with the Green Berets and Special Forces as a Medical Specialist and was honorably discharged in November 1969. He returned to Minneola to farm for Lawrence Young.

On September 21, 1971 he married Susie Vallentine and they had 4 sons – Jim, Jeff, John and Josh.  Jack worked a variety of jobs over the years, none he loved as much as farming.

He enjoyed spending time with family and loved talking to anybody who would listen.  In the last few years, he enjoyed stocking shelves at the Hometown Market in Minneola.

Survivors include: his wife, Susie, of the home; Jim and wife April, San Marcos, Texas, Jeff and wife Dacia, Garden City, Kansas, John, Nickerson, Kansas and Josh and wife Liz, Manhattan, Kansas; 17 grandchildren, Brytnee Thomas and Aaron, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jarret and Kara, Tulsa, Isabel, Tulsa, Johnny, Hutchinson, Kansas, Dylan, Taylor, Andy and Kenna, Nickerson, Kaylie, Kylie, Xander and Steele, San Marcos and Mason and Miles, Manhattan; and 2 great grandchildren, Sophia and Eli Thomas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Michelle Huggard and a brother, Steve Huggard.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 am Monday, December 18, 2023 at the Minneola Community Church with Pastor Coby Janzen officiating.  Inurnment with military honors will be at a later date in the Appleton Township Cemetery, Minneola.  There will be no public visitation, cremation has taken place.

The family suggests memorials to Hometown Market or the Minneola Community Church both in care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.