Colorado Serum Co. is saddened to report the passing of its patriarch, Majon Huff, on Jan. 11, 2010, at the age of 97.

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on Feb. 19, 1912, Huff was forced to drop out of college and assume ownership of Colorado Serum in 1933 when his father died unexpectedly. By continuing the company’s hog cholera antiserum production, Huff navigated Colorado Serum through the Great Depression while many other animal health manufacturers were closing their doors. Huff was instrumental in the formation of what would become the Animal Health Institute in 1941, which still today collectively represents the animal health industry and its constituents in Washington D.C.
Huff was sent to Europe to fight in World War II as an artillery member of the 42nd Rainbow Division, which has been credited for liberating the Dachau concentration camp on April 29, 1945.  Due to his business experience, Huff was chosen to remain in Germany with Military government after the Nazi’s surrender as a part of the United States’ restructuring efforts.

Upon returning from the war, Huff dedicated himself to the business and growing the product line to include a wide range of biologics, veterinary instruments, diagnostics and animal blood products. In his later years, he remained an intricate part of the company as the chairman of the board.

“Majon was a great supporter of the livestock industry and we appreciate the many years of service to the U.S. Animal Health Association,” says Jim Logan, DVM, chair of the American Sheep Industry Association’s Animal Health Committee. “The Colorado Serum Co. has provided the sheep industry with a number of vaccines over the years, such as the sore mouth and foot-mouth vaccines. If not for Majon’s interest in the sheep industry and his company, our industry would probably not have access to these vaccines. We thank him for his years of service and will miss him.”

Huff now joins his wife, Shirley, who passed away just months earlier in May of 2009 at the age of 96 after 66 years of marriage together.

Huff is survived and missed by his son Joe and daughter-in-law Cheri, grandchildren David and Daniel, their wives Natalie and Brigitte, and his great-grandchildren Riley, Hayden, Sydney and another on the way.