Dr. Charles D. Hufford, 72, passed away Monday, May 15, 2017, at his home in Oxford. The funeral service will be Friday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. prior to the service in West Hall at the funeral home.

Dr. Hufford was born in Sycamore, Ohio in 1944 to Charles and Magdalena Hufford. He graduated from Mohawk High School in 1962 and received his pharmacy degree from The Ohio State University in 1967. While pursuing his graduate studies, he served as a pharmacist in the Air Force Reserve. He obtained his doctor of philosophy degree in pharmacognosy in 1972 from the Ohio State University. He joined the faculty of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy as an assistant professor in the summer of 1972.  Throughout his career he served the school in several roles, including two terms of service as department chair before becoming the school’s first associate dean for research and graduate studies in 1995. For 42 years he was a tireless advocate for the School of Pharmacy graduate students, faculty, and staff.

He originated important research programs that continue today, was one of the principal investigators for the long-running NIH-funded antifungal research program, and was the singular driving force behind building the school’s capacity in NMR spectroscopy. He retired from the University in January 2015 to devote his time to his two highest priorities:  grandsons and bowling!

He received many honors and awards for both his professional and personal accomplishments, including the 1994 School of Pharmacy Outstanding Researcher of the Year and the 1995 Ohio State University College of Pharmacy Alumni Award. He was an elected Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), a distinction afforded only the top pharmaceutical scientists in the nation, and served in every leadership position of the American Society of Pharmacognosy.

He was a member of the Senior All Star Bowling Association (SASBA), holding 10 championship tournament titles.  He was a member of both the SASBA Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Bowling Association Hall of Fame.  He bowled more than 30 perfect 300 games over his bowling career, the latest on Dec 14, 2016. He was widely known and admired as a mentor, coach, teammate, and friend to all.

Of all the recognitions he received throughout his life, none were more meaningful to him than the “T-Shirt Awards” his grandsons regularly bestowed upon him, declaring him “Best Grandpa Ever” and “Professional Grandpa”. He was devoted to his grandsons and was fully involved in their lives from the moment they were born.  He attended almost every game they played in any sport (even soccer, which was the truest testament of his devotion and love).

He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Alice Clark, his children, Gary and his wife Lori Hufford of Huntsville, Alabama, and Jennifer Hufford of Nashville, Tennessee, his former wife and lifelong friend Marcia Hufford of Nashville, Tennessee, and his beloved grandsons Ryan and Andy, both of Huntsville, Alabama.

Memorial contributions in Dr. Hufford’s memory may be made to the Charles D. Hufford Graduate Student Fellowship Endowment, The University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.

For more information or to sign an online guestbook, visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.