November 2, 1921 – August 13, 2005
Stan was born November 2, 1921 in Elgin, NE to Stanley and Zoe Mellor Huffman. He grew up in Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School. He earned a degree from the Ag College at the University of Nebraska. He married Helen Jean Elam in Falls City on December 19, 1942. They lived in Lincoln for a short period before the ROTC was activated. Stan served in the 405 Infantry, Company D. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart before receiving his discharge as captain. His Purple Heart was earned as he was wounded while in Germany. After returning from military duty, he worked at the lumberyard in Elgin. Shortly afterward, he and Jean moved to the Huffman Ranch in Wheeler County. In 1955, he served as the State Commander of the Nebraska American Legion. Remaining family include: wife Jean Huffman, now deceased, daughters Zoe Ann Huffman of Whitman and Becky Akporiaye of Tucson, AZ, and grandson Gabe Huffman of Whitman, NE.
Stanley and his wife, Helen Jean, purchased the Carver Ranch 30 miles north of Whitman from Jack Ressegieu in 1961. The Huffman’s Carver Ranch was the home of the Round Lake Ropers, one of the first roping clubs in the Sandhills. He had many memorable horses among which are: Lucky Card and Carver’s Grey. The ranch was the center of many community events over the years – NCHA cuttings, Memorial Day Old Timers Roping, Huffman Ranch Horse Sales, Annual 4-H Horse-Judging Contests and quite a few hotly-contested bridge, pitch, poker and cribbage games. Stan devised a first handicap method to make his team members more even in his roping club.
Stan and Jean hosted some of the biggest jackpot ropings in the Sandhills. Beginning in the 1960’s the club was known as the Round Lake Roping Club and they had something for everyone. This included grade school, pro-am, mixed and one-over-40 and occasionally barrel races. They drew contestants from many miles around, from Thedford to Alliance to Martin, SD.
Stan and Jean were extremely generous hosts. They made everyone feel welcome. If the roping was to start at 1:00 p.m. that’s when it would kick off. Probably going back to Stan’s military service, everything was run to precision. Stan loved roping although it never came particularly easy for him. He won the Triangle Ranch Roping at Arthur in the 1970’s; he was heart to say, “Now I can die; I’ve won a buckle!” That was not the last one.
Stan was extremely generous. When a group of Sandhillers went to Rapid City for a roping, he treated everyone, including wives, to a prime rib supper. That was just the norm for Stan. He loved ice cream and would always treat everyone. Woe to the guy who tried to pick up the tab; Stan would not hear of it. He never made a big show of it but he insisted on treating everyone.
Stan raised quarter horses for many years. They were always known to be gentle and capable to doing most anything. In the 1980’s he began sponsoring a “Century” roping in conjunction with the Hyannis Old Timers Rodeo. This drew a lot of ropers from all over the country. I believe they would have 150 or more teams. He would follow that up with a horse sale. Most of the geldings were trained rope horses and sold extremely well. Stan sold a weanling that eventually went to the National Finals Rodeo in the team roping event. Many more went on to become trusted ranch horses or top barrel horses, carrying the Double Arrow brand.