Nathan Joseph Huf

Nathan Joseph Huf, 21, of Granger passed away Monday, January 31, 2011.

Nathan was born October 3, 1989 in Temple to Leonard and Lillie (Knapek) Huf.

Nathan was a Trisomy 13 individual with multiple special needs who far surpassed his life expectancy. He was active in his community attending all his brothers’ sporting events, attending and participating in weddings, family events, and school & church functions. From day 1 he was an inspiration to anyone who met him so much so that his senior class unanimously voted him Homecoming King. He sat in on training panels at the Texas Commission for the Blind for the benefit of prospective case workers. Nathan also participated in the Life Skills Program for 18 years. Special Olympics competitions and therapeutic riding sessions at ROCK (Ride On Center for Kids). Portraits of Nathan are forever archived in the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Worster Museum in Boston , MA. A forty-portrait exhibit of Nathan traveled around Japan to help educate the medical field on a long-living Trisomy 13 individual. Nathan taught everyone who knew him to never take for granted all the ability to do anything independently. He has been an inspiration given the example of courage and hope to everyone who knew him for all the pain he endured and moved passed. He brought peace through innocence being the tie that bound his family, his community and surrounding communities together. He was truly a pure individual who for all of his life never intentionally hurt anyone through thought or word or deed. The name Nathan means “Gift of God.” He proved how fitting his name would turn out to be. He was a present to be opened every day, a gift meant to be shared with everyone, an angel sent from heaven.

Nathan was preceded in death by his grandfather Johnny Knapek.

He is survived by his parents, Leonard and Lillie Huf; grandparents, Tonie Knapek and Anton and Bernice Huf; brothers, Alan Huf and wife Melanie, Jason Huf and wife Brandi, Tommy Huf and wife Amanda, James Huf and wife Jamie, and Andrew Huf; niece/nephew, Ellie and Cade Huf; and numerous aunts, uncle, and cousins.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Providence Funeral Home.

Rosary will be 7:00 P.M. Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Providence Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life Mass will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 4, 2011 at SS. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church with Fth. Joseph Nisari officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.