Eric Gray Huckabee 24 December 1948 – 27 September 2022 Eric Gray Huckabee, 73, of Birmingham, Alabama, son of William Gray and Virginia Bishop Huckabee, loving husband, brother, and father of three, passed away on 27 September 2022. Born 24 December 1948, Eric graduated from Banks High School in 1967, the University of Alabama in December 1971 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and from the University of West Florida in 1977 with an MBA in Management. Eric was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps on 23 December 1971. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, he served as a helicopter pilot, he earned an Air Medal with Bronze Star Combat “V”, Navy Unit Commendation with Ribbon Bar, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star, and later the Army Commendation Medal prior to retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2008 after over 32 total years of service. Following his meritorious active-duty service, Eric continued his military career with the Alabama National Guard and United States Reserves. Concurrently, he was a Lead Mechanical Engineer with Southern Company Services, Inc. for 13 years, was the Senior Plant Manager for five years with McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company in addition to project manager, USAR operations section chief, and construction manager in private industry.
Eric and his wife of 42 years, Melinda Huckabee, raised their three children Adrienne (Mark) Thornblom, Eric (Jennifer) Huckabee, and Jessica Huckabee. Preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Francis Kay Huckabee. Eric is survived by his wife, children, seven grandchildren, and brother William Barry Huckabee.
The visitation will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, Alabama at 11 a.m. on 4 October 2022. Following the memorial, a burial service will take place at Alabama National Cemetery at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in his memory to The University of Arkansas for Medical Services (UAMS) Foundation designated for Multiple Myeloma Research Myeloma Center.