Cecil Cloyd Haffelfinger

Cecil C. Haffelfinger, beloved husband, father and papa, completed his earthly journey very peacefully on February 9th, 2021 surrounded by his family. He began his earthly sojourn on September 15, 1925 in Hempstead, Texas. He was the youngest of six children born to Walter L. and Nancy Ann Haffelfinger (Cloyd). Cecil attended public school in Hempstead graduating in 1943. He immediately enrolled at Texas A&M before entering the military in December 1943 where four brothers were already serving. He was trained in communications at several locations in California prior to shipping out to the South Pacific. All five brothers were defending our nation on foreign soil. Cecil was injured on Leyte Island in the Philippines in June 1945 and returned to the US where he spent several months in McCloskey General Hospital in Temple, Texas. Cecil received an Honorable Discharge in October 1945. With encouragement from the Lord and from his mother, Cecil became a student of Abilene Christian University in September 1946. In 1949 he graduated with a BS in Business and a double minor in Bible and English. He soon began preaching by appointment before entering into full-time ministry with the churches of Christ that lasted almost 62 years.

Cecil and Kathryn Mc-Gee Berry were united in marriage on December 4th, 1954 in Baytown, Texas. Kathryn was an ideal preacher’s wife supporting and encouraging Cecil in countless ways. At the center of her life were God, Christ, the church and serving others. She was an avid admirer of God’s creation (Psalm 19:1). Wherever their ministry took them, Kathryn and Cecil were loved, respected and admired. Two children, Michael Keith and Karen Sue, blessed this union. After fifty-four years of marriage and at age eightytwo, Kathryn completed her earthly journey on July

25th, 2008. On December 21st, 2015 Cecil suffered the sudden death of his son Michael Keith Haffelfinger, it was a grief his heart always carried with him. Cecil is survived by his daughter Karen Sue Haffelfinger, grandchildren Anna Kathryn Haffelfinger and Benjamin Cecil Haffelfinger.

Cecil committed his life to preaching New Testament Christianity and serving others. His life and ministry were predicated upon the inspired words of Paul in Acts 20:27. “for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” His ministry was many faceted. Over the years he had the joy of being the located preacher for a number of Church of Christ congregations over the state of Texas conjoined with serving others in each community, preaching in many evangelistic meetings and lectureships, working with university students, and being deeply involved in inmate evangelism working with death row inmates in Huntsville. Some of his most rewarding work was his missionary efforts in Jamaica. He made eight mission trips to Jamaica preaching to audiences over much of the island. He was the first preacher of the Lakewood Church of Christ in Baytown, Texas. He continued for many years at Highland Village Church of Christ in Austin, Wimberley Church of Christ in Wimberley, with his final ministry being with the Canyon Lake Church of Christ in Canyon Lake, Texas. Cecil touched thousands of lives in his lifetime encouraging others, having a lasting impression on strangers simply while living out his daily activities.

Our hope is that his example may continue and live on through everyone who was blessed to have met him. Be kind, be the light, and may everything you do be done in love. The family would love to thank the caregivers who cared for and loved him at Heritage Place in Boerne Texas. We love you and will miss you forever Papa, looking to the days where we see you again.

Graveside service was held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas.

Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Austin, Texas – (512) 452-8811. Remembrances may be shared at www.wcfish. com.