Colbert Clinton "Clint" Huntington
December 16, 1931 — March 18, 2023
Heaven gained a cattleman on March 18, 2023 when Colbert Clinton “Clint” Huntington passed away at the age of 91. Clint was born near Virgil, Kansas on December 16, 1931, the oldest son of Colbert Clinton Huntington and Margaret Adelia Jackson.
When Clint was a toddler, the family moved home to Eureka to assist with the family business, Huntington Herefords. He was raised in Greenwood County, graduating 8th grade from the Loy Country School and Eureka High School with the class of 1950. During high school he played football and ran track. He was a founding member of the Eureka FFA chapter and served as the first president. He was also a founding member of the Upper Fall River Jayhawkers 4-H Club.
His father passed away when Clint was just 16 years old, leaving him with a great deal of responsibility. He remembered being called out of class as a sophomore to meet with bull customers. The uncertainty of loss coupled with a strong work ethic drove him with fierce determination to succeed.
In his early years, he worked on an oilfield pulling unit for additional income. When he moved from home to develop his own cattle operation, he left his good ranch horse with his brothers, replacing it with a former rodeo horse from Ladd Lewis.
On April 29, 1956 he married Irlene Marie Rawlings at the 1st United Methodist Church in Eureka. Together they worked hard to create a commercial cow herd and grow their operation. He expanded his love of the cattle business by leasing acres of his beloved Flint Hills grass and grazing summer grass cattle. He most enjoyed creating lasting relationships with customers he met from many states. Clint was an authority on Greenwood County and seemed to know the history of every piece of ground and country home.
Although he and Irlene attended the Methodist Church, he never gave up his membership with the Christ Lutheran Church in Eureka. But, his true sanctuary was the tallgrass prairie.
Clint was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association for 62 years and served as Greenwood County Cattlemen’s Association president in 1972. He also served as president of the Greenwood County Farm Bureau Association Board, Greenwood County Extension Board, Eureka Saddle Club and Upper Fall River Watershed District 21. He was an avid blood donor, giving many gallons over his lifetime.
Clint is survived by his wife, Irlene of the home; daughter, Heather and husband Cory Fuesz of rural Eureka. He was most proud of his grandsons Clinton Laflin and Cash Fuesz for their work ethic and determination to achieve their goals. He had a special place in his heart for his nephews: Justin Huntington and wife Marietta; John and wife Alejandra; Dwight and wife Teresa and niece Donelda and husband Mark Perkins.
The family is reunited as Clint was preceded in death by his father, mother, and younger brothers Don and John Huntington.
A celebration of life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Eureka at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 with graveside services following at the Greenwood Cemetery. A Cattlemen’s style dinner will be served at the church prior to the service at 12:30. Visitation will take place between 5 and 7 p.m. at the church on Wednesday.
Clint’s favorite day of the year was Greenwood County Cattlemen’s Day. Clint had a lifelong fascination for driving teams. It started in his childhood, when he hitched Hereford calves to a cart. His last team was a pair of mules that he acquired in his 80’s and drove in several Cattlemen’s Day parades. His haltered lead steers were also a regular feature in local parades.
Therefore, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Greenwood County Cattlemen’s Association to benefit the annual celebration approaching its 100th year. Contributions may be sent in care of the Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045, who are in charge of arrangements.
When Clint was a toddler, the family moved home to Eureka to assist with the family business, Huntington Herefords. He was raised in Greenwood County, graduating 8th grade from the Loy Country School and Eureka High School with the class of 1950. During high school he played football and ran track. He was a founding member of the Eureka FFA chapter and served as the first president. He was also a founding member of the Upper Fall River Jayhawkers 4-H Club.
His father passed away when Clint was just 16 years old, leaving him with a great deal of responsibility. He remembered being called out of class as a sophomore to meet with bull customers. The uncertainty of loss coupled with a strong work ethic drove him with fierce determination to succeed.
In his early years, he worked on an oilfield pulling unit for additional income. When he moved from home to develop his own cattle operation, he left his good ranch horse with his brothers, replacing it with a former rodeo horse from Ladd Lewis.
On April 29, 1956 he married Irlene Marie Rawlings at the 1st United Methodist Church in Eureka. Together they worked hard to create a commercial cow herd and grow their operation. He expanded his love of the cattle business by leasing acres of his beloved Flint Hills grass and grazing summer grass cattle. He most enjoyed creating lasting relationships with customers he met from many states. Clint was an authority on Greenwood County and seemed to know the history of every piece of ground and country home.
Although he and Irlene attended the Methodist Church, he never gave up his membership with the Christ Lutheran Church in Eureka. But, his true sanctuary was the tallgrass prairie.
Clint was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association for 62 years and served as Greenwood County Cattlemen’s Association president in 1972. He also served as president of the Greenwood County Farm Bureau Association Board, Greenwood County Extension Board, Eureka Saddle Club and Upper Fall River Watershed District 21. He was an avid blood donor, giving many gallons over his lifetime.
Clint is survived by his wife, Irlene of the home; daughter, Heather and husband Cory Fuesz of rural Eureka. He was most proud of his grandsons Clinton Laflin and Cash Fuesz for their work ethic and determination to achieve their goals. He had a special place in his heart for his nephews: Justin Huntington and wife Marietta; John and wife Alejandra; Dwight and wife Teresa and niece Donelda and husband Mark Perkins.
The family is reunited as Clint was preceded in death by his father, mother, and younger brothers Don and John Huntington.
A celebration of life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Eureka at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 with graveside services following at the Greenwood Cemetery. A Cattlemen’s style dinner will be served at the church prior to the service at 12:30. Visitation will take place between 5 and 7 p.m. at the church on Wednesday.
Clint’s favorite day of the year was Greenwood County Cattlemen’s Day. Clint had a lifelong fascination for driving teams. It started in his childhood, when he hitched Hereford calves to a cart. His last team was a pair of mules that he acquired in his 80’s and drove in several Cattlemen’s Day parades. His haltered lead steers were also a regular feature in local parades.
Therefore, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Greenwood County Cattlemen’s Association to benefit the annual celebration approaching its 100th year. Contributions may be sent in care of the Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045, who are in charge of arrangements.
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