Honoring Ted’s Life in the National AIDS Memorial
The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a ten-acre memorial that stands to ensure that lives lost to AIDS are not forgotten.
Engraved throughout this dedicated space for healing, hope, and remembrance are the names of those who fought against the ongoing HIV and AIDS crisis. More than simply names, these engravings immortalize the lives and stories of the individuals they represent and allow those who loved them to find a sacred space to express their grief.
One of the engravings made in 2024 was for a man named Ted Huffcut. A politician turned florist who never complained about the many injustices done to him, Ted’s life story is an odyssey full of love and hard work that was tragically ended by AIDS.
Ted’s life is forever remembered in the Circle of Friends. Here is Ted’s story, told by his sister, Jan Huffcut Clark Littlefield.
The Life of Ted Huffcut
Ted passed away at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland October 6, 1993 of complications from AIDS only a few weeks after his dear partner Cliff. Per our long standing plan I had the honor of caring for (with the aid of his friends and health care professionals) and being with him at the time of his death. I accompanied his remains back to California to our Mother and Father who were too ill to travel and under the care of my husband to be JJ. A private family service was held at our family burial site in Palo Alto and a memorial service was also held in Washington, DC. Like so many others his remarkable life was cut short way too soon.
Edward Wood (Ted) Huffcut was born May 23, 1940, in Peekskill, New York. Due to his Father's work as an Attorney and Jag Officer in the Army he was educated in New York, Germany and Virginia, finally graduating from Menlo - Atherton High School in Menlo Park, California in 1958 and Whittier College in 1962 where he was President of the Student Council.
He worked as a Lobbyist for Matson Navigation until 1968 when he joined the Nixon presidential campaign as chair of Maritime Citizens for Nixon. He later held high positions in Labor and Commerce. He traveled the world, in his estimation around half a million miles. He went to Russia and all over the Orient.
After his political career ended with the election of President Carter, some desperate times ensued until he reached back to his high school days working at Leroy Flowers in Palo Alto where he learned design. He went to work as a designer at a local florist and in 1979 bought the business (Nosegay Flower Shop) and expanded its reaches to become a major event Florist In Washington, D. C. with a varied clientele in business, government and the arts. which included films. He was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 1982. A sample of his events included Nancy Reagan's 1981 birthday party, Christmas decorations at the White House and Vice President's home, Time magazine's dinner at Mount Vernon and the Corcoran Gallery's Swedish art exhibit attended by Denmark's Queen Margrethe. He was co-chair for floral design for the senior Bush's Inauguration.
My Brother loved his work, his family, his home, his friends, the arts and his dogs, Devoe and Marty. He was present for every event happy or sad in the lives of those he loved gracing every event with beautiful flowers and his creativity. He was a major comfort to me when I lost my Husband in Vietnam and lobbied on my behalf and other survivors for increased benefits. He was always there for those in need.
In his own darkest times he never complained about injustices done to him or the people that hurt him. He was an inclusive person and all who knew him loved and admired him. His Family was so very proud of him and his accomplishments, his loving and generous nature. Ted was always the life and light of every gathering and brought joy to all he knew. He was my hero.
We miss him so!
Jan Huffcut Clark Littlefield
Memorializing Loved Ones in the National AIDS Memorial Grove
It is through remembrance that we find healing and hope for a better future and that our loved ones’ lives will forever be remembered.
Learn more about how you can memorialize a loved one lost to AIDS in the National AIDS Memorial Grove:
Memorialize & Remember a Loved One
