Long-time Old Testament professor F. B. Huey passes away

Two-time Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumnus and long-time professor of Old Testament F. B. Huey Jr. passed away on April 7, 2025, at 100 years of age.

“F. B. Huey was an outstanding Old Testament scholar and a great classroom teacher, who invested deeply in the lives of students,” President David S. Dockery said. “His passion for the Word of God and his missionary heart were infectious for all who were around him.”

Born in Denton, Texas, on Jan. 12, 1925, Huey did not become a follower of Christ until he was in his mid-twenties. Within weeks, he felt the call to ministry, but he would resist that call for almost six years. He married Nonna Turner during that time in 1950.

He finally followed God’s calling and enrolled at Southwestern Seminary, where he finished his Bachelor of Divinity in 1958 and a Doctor of Theology in 1962, later changed to the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy. While a student, Huey pastored North Texas churches such as Bolivar Baptist Church of Sanger and University Baptist Church of Denton.

But upon finishing his education, the Hueys felt led to the mission field and served as missionaries to Brazil through the Foreign Mission Board, now the International Mission Board. He served as a professor of Old Testament at South Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary and as pastor of a church in Rio de Janeiro.

After returning to the United States for what they thought was a year-long furlough, the Hueys realized God was calling them to remain stateside. In 1965, Huey became an Old Testament professor at Southwestern and he would continue to be part of the faculty for the next 25 years in a full-time position, including five years as the associate dean for Ph.D. degrees, and then five more years as an adjunct professor.

George Guthrie, Southwestern alumnus and professor of New Testament at Regent College, Vancouver, said his life was greatly impacted by his studies with Huey, who was also one of his closest prayer partners.

“I have never known a godlier man,” Guthrie said. “Early on, he became for me a model of a deeply committed, wonderfully available, Christian professor. Though I have struggled to live up to it, his example has shaped me throughout my life and teaching ministry.”

Huey also served as interim pastor in 27 churches while teaching before pastoring Rush Creek Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, 1990-1993. He would join the congregation at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

New Testament Professor Mark Taylor attended church with Huey for a time and had the opportunity to visit him on a number of occasions.

“Southern Baptists are indebted to Dr. Huey for his decades of faithful service as a pastor, missionary, seminary professor, and author,” Taylor said. “Along with contemporaries such as Curtis Vaughan, Jack MacGorman, James Leo Garrett, and many others, his ministry at Southwestern impacted thousands.”

Huey wrote commentaries on Old Testament books including Jeremiah, Lamentation, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Esther. He authored other books such as Obedience: The Biblical Key to Happiness and Yesterday’s Prophets for Today’s World. He also served on translation teams for the New American Standard Version and the New International Version.

“His contribution to the work of Southwestern Seminary will long be appreciated,” Dockery said. “We give thanks to God for the life, ministry, and influence of F. B. Huey.”

Huey was preceded in death by his wife Nonna in 2013. They had three children, Mary Anne, Linda Kaye, and William David.