Columbia - Funeral service for Sgt. 1st Class Charles E. Huckabee, Sr., U.S. Army (Ret.) of Columbia, will be held Friday, October 4, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of West Columbia. Committal with full military honors will follow in the church cemetery. Pastor John Derrick and Pastor Elford Roof will officiate. Honorary pallbearer will be Mr. Fred Danley. The family will receive friends for viewing and visitation from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia. Mr. Huckabee passed away on Monday, September 30, 2013, in Palmetto Health Richland. He was born November 16, 1924, in Zelbourne, North Carolina, son of the late Amons and Idellar Blackwell Huckabee. Mr. Huckabee was a veteran of the U.S. Army with service in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, serving in three wars, a total of 26 years. Retiring as a sergeant first class in 1970, he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Medal, along with others. He was a member of American Legion Chapter 90 and the D.A.V. Clayton Durhan Chapter 28. He was employed by S.L.E.D. for 10 years after retiring from service. After his second retirement with the State, he enjoyed traveling, camping with his family and fishing. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by two daughters, Charlene Kehl of Irmo, and Amy Cleckler of Columbia; two sons, Charles "Chuck" E. Huckabee, Jr. (Glory) and Gene Clifton Huckabee (Cheryl), both of Hartsville; grandchildren, Cory Brandon Kehl (Ashleigh) of North Carolina, and Matthew Tyler Kehl of Austin, TX, Emily Catherine Van DeGrift and Erin Olivia Cleckler of Columbia, Missy Gainey and Clifton Huckabee of Hartsville, Dianna Koele (Daniel) of Hartsville, Brennan Huckabee of Hartsville, Charles E. "Chad" Huckabee III of Broomsville, CO, Richie Huckabee (Kim) of Irmo; great-grandchildren, Tara, Michael, Kamden Gainey, Gracie and Will Huckabee, Katherine and Edward Koele, Gene Clifton Huckabee III (Tripp); brother, A.D. Huckabee (Mary Lee) of Pelion; and sisters-in-law, Jeanette Huckabee of Salley, and Connie Zeagler of Irmo, along with a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Emily Zeagler Huckabee, two brothers, Johnny Huckabee and R.J. Huckabee, and a sister, Lolava Shumpert. Many thanks go out to Dr. William Butler and his son for many years of great care, and nurses, Dusty and Ann. You are angels! We would also like to say many thanks to Dr. David Fisher for giving his excellent care over the years. A special thanks for their love and support to Robin Waugh and Vicki Carrobotta, for without their care and compassion he would not have been able to enjoy his time at home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Mr. Huckabee's memory to Emmanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2491 Emmanuel Church Road, West Columbia, SC 29170. © The State, Columbia, SC, 2 Oct 2013