PENSACOLA, Fla.— Services for James Wesley “Jimmy” Huffines, who died surrounded by his family Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at Sacred Heart Hospital under Hospice, were Saturday at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel in Pensecola, Fla., with the Rev. John I. Baxter officiating.

Burial followed at Bayview Memorial Park.

Jimmy was born June 29, 1956 in Albany, Ga., the son of C. Wesley Huffines and Betty Jane Huffines.

Jimmy moved to Pensacola with his family in 1971 from Pennsylvania, lived many years at home and resided at the ARC Gateway Hilltop group home until June of this year at which time he became a resident of Bayside Manor nursing home in Pensacola.

Jimmy was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome at birth and graduated from Petri School for the mentally disabled in 1975. He participated in the Horticulture program at ARC Gateway until June of this year. Jimmy was a long time member of Gadsden St. United Methodist Church where he and his friend, Keith Wyatt attended a Sunday School class taught by Mrs. Evelyn Wyatt. Rev. John Baxter “churchman” was one of his favorite people. Their greeting to each other was always “Hallelujah.” Jimmy loved to play his small 45 records, play a little basketball, eat ice cream and pizza and watch the forecast. He was also an avid Gator fan.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Elizabeth Weaver, and Carlos and Marian Huffines; one uncle, Tommy Weaver; one aunt, Anita Larsen, and a cousin, David Colflesh.

Survivors include his father, of Fairplay, Colo.; his mother, of Pace, Fla.; two brothers, “Bear” Danny Huffines and wife, Lisa, of Natchez, and Wesley Huffines and wife Lorri, of Ft. Collins, Colo;l three sisters, Susan E. Smith and husband, James, of Milton, Fla., Nancy J. Jay and husband, Jeff, of Pace, Fla., and Wendy Huffines and husband, Tim Klippert, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, 901 E. Gadsden St., Pensacola, FL 32501 or to ARC Gateway, 1112 E. Fairfield Dr. Pensacola, FL 32503.