Dr. John Abram Huffman Jr

Dr. John Huffman Jr., prominent clergyman and beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and pastor passed on peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 23, 2025 at his home in Newport Beach California with his wife by his side.

John was born to John and Dorothy Huffman on May 24, 1940 in Boston, Massachusetts where he and his younger sister Miriam were raised until their family moved to Wheaton, Illinois in 1954. John attended Wheaton Academy and Wheaton College. He then earned his seminary and doctoral degrees at Princeton Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in American History from the University of Tulsa.

John spent forty-eight years faithfully serving in local church ministry as a Presbyterian pastor. John was a strong evangelical who led with bold vision and never backed away from preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the most clear and effective way possible. His life-time ministry goal was “To lead men, women and children to a personal saving faith in Jesus Christ, to build them up in that faith and to deploy them in servant ministry to others,” a goal that he faithfully lived out.As a young minister John served on the staff of New York’s Marble Collegiate Church with Norman Vincent Peale and as associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He then moved to the pastorate of Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church in Florida. During John’s tenure in Key Biscayne, President Nixon attended services and invited John to preach at the White House. In 1973, John became pastor of the historic First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then in 1978 he came to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California where he spent the bulk of his ministry serving as senior pastor for 32 years and then as Pastor Emeritus. Early in his time at St. Andrews, he cast the vision and helped raise the money to build a new sanctuary and church campus to better carry out the growing ministry needs of the congregation and the surrounding community. Until his final months when his failing health kept him homebound, he was a regular presence at St Andrews. He was beloved by his congregation and his legacy to this church lives on and will not be forgotten.  

In addition to his local ministry, John was committed to serving the national and global church and world missions. John served on numerous religious and civic boards and provided impactful leadership as board chair of World Vision U.S., Christianity Today, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He published eleven books plus weekly printed copies of his sermons; had various radio and television ministries; was involved in the National Prayer Breakfast movement; was a mentor to countless pastors; and was active as a professional sports chaplain. He traveled extensively in various capacities as a student, journalist, speaker, study tour leader, world relief activist, ecumenical / mission representative, golfer and tourist on over 120 international trips to over 130 different countries. Thousands of members of his congregations were introduced to the Holy Lands by joining John on the tours he led there.

John had a unique gift of connecting with people. Whether at church, at a board meeting, on the golf course, at an event for his daughters or grandkids, or simply sitting next to somebody on an airplane, he would inevitably strike up a conversation and ask where they were from, often making a lasting connection and leaving their life better for knowing him. He was exceptional in how broadly he related to people and how profoundly he impacted so many people’s lives over the decades through his ministry, his mentorship, and his friendship.

The love of his life was Anne Mortenson Huffman, his wife of 61 years. For several decades, they had parallel ministries, he as a pastor and she as a psychoanalyst, speaker and Fuller Theological Seminary board member. Together they had the joy of parenting three daughters: Suzanne, Carla, and Janet; and being grandparents to Owen, Gavin and Claire. The great sorrow of John’s life was the loss of his eldest daughter Suzanne who died at age 23 of cancer. John was an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather. He was devoted to his family, proudly supporting them in their endeavors, intentionally spending time and nurturing individual relationships with each of them. He bestowed upon them a legacy of faith, love, education, travel, and humor. His family loves him deeply and will greatly miss his love, guidance, support, faith and playfulness.

John is survived by his wife Anne, his daughters Carla Huffman and Janet Price (Ryan), his grandchildren Owen Price, Gavin Price and Claire Rowland, his sister Miriam Rockness (Dave), his sisters-in-law Elaine Aldrich (Dan) and Kathy Borland (Jim), and numerous cousins and nephews and nieces. John is preceded in his death by his father, John Sr., his mother, Dorothy, and his beloved daughter Suzanne. His family wants to extend a special thank you to the compassionate caregivers who cared so well for him during the final year of his life.

A celebration of John's life will be held Saturday, October 18 at 11am at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 600 St Andrew's Road, Newport Beach CA 92663, with a reception following in Dierenfield Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the John Huffman Memorial Mission Fund at St Andrew's Church (Give – St. Andrews).