Edward “Greg” Huckabay, 78, of Branson
Edward “Greg” Huckabay, 78, of Branson, Missouri, was accepted into the arms of our Lord and Savior at 8:39 am, on Father’s Day, June 21, 2026. He passed peacefully, in his home, surrounded by loving family, after a short, but heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.
Greg was born in Sacramento, California on September 1st, 1947 to Monroe “Wayne” Huckabay and Mary “Helen” Sullivan Huckabay. When he was a toddler, his parents moved to Idaho for a short time, then returned to Sacramento. Greg lived most of his life in Sacramento until he moved to Jacksonville, IL in the early 2000’s.
He is survived by his wife of 2 years courting and 19 years married, Elisa Elaine Richards Huckabay, of Branson. Also his daughter, Rebecca (Tracy) Camden of Branson, MO, his step-children Eric (Stephanie) Knott of Indianapolis, IN, Christin (companion, Xim) Knott of Jacksonville, IL, Joshua (Kristen) Ellis of Morrisonville, IL, and Daughter-in Law, Cindy Adams of Jacksonville, IL. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Brittnee (companion Shane) Lael, Chelsea (companion, Skylar) Adams, Felicity Knott, Keeton (Haley) Knott, Dalton (companion, Piper) Collier, Macenzie Knott, Cooper Knott, Quinn Knott, Hailey (companion, Jameson) Hall, Breanna Vits, Paige (companion, Matt) Vits, Madison Maross, and Avery Ellis and 7 Great-grandchildren, Charlie, Arabella, Blaze, Gunner, Theo, Rykr, and Iris. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Darlene) Huckabay of West Olive, MI, brother-in-law, Gregory Richards of Springfield, IL, sisters-in-law, Molly Huckabay of Sacramento, CA, Pamela (David) Moughan of Pleasant Plains, IL, Terry (Michael) Shelton of Springfield, IL, Laurie (Roger) Lewis, of Mechanicsburg, IL. Greg also leaves behind several nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. A special mention to his niece Patricia (Jon) Moore, of Jacksonville, IL, whom he helped raise from the time she was a baby, and her children, Kyle and Ava.
Greg was proceeded in death by his parents, his son, Gregory Alan Adams, brother Scott Patrick Huckabay, brother-in-law, Jeffery Alan Richards, and his great-grandson, Oliver Silas Adams.
Greg had a great love for baseball. He played, coached and umpired little league for many years, when he was a young man. He was a diehard San Francisco Giants fan, his whole life. He very seldom missed a game. Greg loved Disney from the time he was a little boy and passed that love down to his family. He has a huge love of trains and would travel back-and-forth between California and Illinois aboard the Amtrak for many years, up until he finally moved to the midwest to be close to his family. Greg grew up in a family of bird hunters and fishermen. He would hunt dove, pheasant, ducks and geese with his dad, Uncle Blacky and his “blood brothers” from the time he could hold a shotgun, and continued to hunt until his health would no longer allow him to. He loved to camp and fish at Bennett Springs State Park, with his family. He loved music, trivia and talking on the phone. He and his wife loved the time they spent together rocking on the porch, watching the storms move in, watching Hallmark, Disney and Christmas movies, taking long rides down country roads, looking for trains and watching the seasons change. When possible they loved to visit Tennessee.
When Greg was a young man, he worked for the California Department of Fish and Game as a Conservation Officer. He loved to share stories about his adventures in the great outdoors. He retired from the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union, Local 18, West Sacramento California. Greg was a Warehouseman at Monarch Foods, later known as Rykoff Foods, in Sacramento, CA. After moving to the midwest, he worked for Reynolds Consumer Products and Goodwill Industries in Jacksonville, IL.
Greg was a devoted family man with a great sense of humor. He never knew a stranger and he would give you the shirt off his back, if you needed it. He was known for his great storytelling and hilarious jokes. He was never afraid to show his true colors or tell people about Christ. His legacy lives on through the lives that he touched. He will be missed dearly, but will remain forever in our hearts.
Greg and Elisa have been longtime members of the First Baptist Church at 1701 Mound Rd. in Jacksonville, Illinois, where the family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 29th at 10:00 am. There will be a meal to follow, provided by the church family.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the First Baptist Church at 1701 Mound Rd, Jacksonville, IL 62650 or to the Lake Springfield Baptist Camp at PO Box 556, Chatham, IL 62629.
