Warren Patrick “Pat” Huff

Bartow - Warren Patrick “Pat” Huff, age 96, passed away on August 2, 2026, at AUS Senior Living in Bartow. He was born on April 15, 1930, in Orlando, FL. He graduated from Summerlin Institute where he was Senior Class President, a Boy’s State delegate, member of Key Club and football player for the Summerlin Yellow Jackets South Florida Conference Championship Team. While in high school, Pat was an Air Warden during World War II spotting enemy airplanes from the cupola of the Polk County Court House. Pat joined the National Guard in high school and continued to serve in college. He received an ROTC Commission upon graduation and served active duty in the United States Army, followed by membership in the US Army Reserves.

After high School, Pat attended the University of Florida, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a master’s in Engineering. He was a trailblazer in the emerging world of computer programming and design, working for and with companies including Union Carbide, International Minerals & Chemicals, Logicon, U.S. Postal Service, IBM, and Hewlett Packard. His field of work was real-time computer systems for chemical process control, manufacturing automation, and supply chain automation.

Upon retirement, Pat dedicated his time to community service. He proudly served on the Bartow City Commission for 18 years, including three terms as Mayor of Bartow. He was Chairman and member of the First Methodist School Board, First United Methodist Church, Bartow Municipal Airport Authority, Polk Transportation Planning Organization, Central Florida Regional Planning Council, and several other boards. He was a long-time member of the Bartow Kiwanis Club, serving two terms as President and receiving the award for “Outstanding Service and Contribution to Kiwanis.” As a member of American Cancer Society, Pat served several roles including Chairman of the Polk County Volunteer Leadership Board, Chairman of the Bartow/Fort Meade Unit, and Logistics Chairman for the ASC Bartow Relay of Life. He was awarded the ACS HOPE Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

Of particular interest and a passion project, he was Chairman of the Bartow Air Base Historical Committee that created and installed the Bartow Air Base Museum in the Bartow Municipal Airport Terminal Building. The museum is in honor and memory of those who served at the Bartow Army Air Field during World War II when it was a P-51 fighter pilot training base and those who served at the Bartow Air Base from 1951-1961 when it was a primary pilot training base for the US Air Force.

Pat enjoyed history, genealogy, traveling, snow skiing, reading & spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Elsa Huff of Bartow, children Anne Sylvester (Bob) of Sylva, NC, Dr. Kathleen Barry of Saint Petersburg, Susan Slater (Wade) of Lutz, stepchildren Jamie Meyer, Jr. (Allison) of Mount Pleasant, SC & Mary Claire Miller (Ted) of Jacksonville, grandchildren Caitlin Sylvester (Ryan), Caroline Sylvester (Michael), Meaghan Slater (Khaled), Quinn Miller, Evelyn Miller, Hannah Miller, Jack Meyer, Henry Meyer & Blythe Meyer and great grandchild Ezra Lilly. Pat was preceded in death by his first wife Nancy Wilson Huff, and siblings Bill Huff, Zara Frankenburger, & Mary Jo Proctor. Family will receive friends Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, Bartow. Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM at First United Methodist Church. Interment will be held at Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to First Methodist School Bartow, First United Methodist Church Bartow, or the American Cancer Society. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com