OGDEN – Flags have been lowered on all Ogden City buildings in honor of one of the victims from yesterday’s plane crash on I-15. One of the four people killed was a very popular city worker, and city leaders say his death leaves a big hole in the city’s government.
People who know Perry Huffaker say his death has sparked a somber mood within Ogden City Hall. City Engineer Justin Anderson says, “I love Perry. He’s like a brother, to me,” adding, “If you knew him, you’d think he was your friend. He’d come into a room, into a meeting and he’d make his presence known. He had a bigger than life personality.”
Huffaker was the manager of the Public Ways and Parks Department, and as such, he directed the largest number of city employees. Chief Administrative Officer Mark Johnson says Huffaker dealt with people on nearly every floor of City Hall and in nearly every department of the government. Huffaker’s department oversaw everything from parks to sewers to planning some city events.
“The span of control he had over things like Christmas Village, Pioneer Days, the parks, the streets, sewers, storms sewers, refuse… I mean, Perry’s department touched everything,” Johnson says.
Grief counselors have been brought in to help any city workers in mourning and Johnson says they may close some city offices early on the day of Huffaker’s funeral so employees can pay their respects.