James B. Duff (Buffalo)'s Obituary
James Bruce Duff, 84, of Buffalo, Missouri, departed this life for his heavenly home on Saturday, November 11th, 2023.
Bruce was born on August 2, 1939 in Walla Walla, Washington to Othel and Esther Duff. At the age of 2, he and his parents moved back to Dallas County, Missouri, where the family was originally from. The family was completed soon after by the birth of his brother, Byron. Bruce accepted Christ as his savior at a young age in the west field of his parents’ farm. He attended school in Tunas, MO and graduated in 1957. Shortly following graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Janiece Hicks, on September 8, 1957. They remained sweethearts and best friends until his death.
To their union were born two sons, James Lynn and Jeffrey Brad. The family purchased land on E Hwy outside of Tunas. You couldn’t really call it a farm at that time, unless you were farming timber and rock. Bruce and the family spent many hours of hard work together, clearing land, turning it into a farm. Bruce and Janiece milked cows for 27 years with the help of their children. They also worked outside jobs to provide for their family. They instilled a life of hard work and a love for family that was all centered around faith in Christ. Bruce was a long-time member of Hopewell Baptist Church.
His love of horses began early. The raising and trail riding of Missouri Foxtrotters was a passion and favorite family activity. They have ridden horses everywhere from New Mexico to Canada on their many adventures. Bruce was also an avid coon hunter and loved sharing his passion of good hunting dogs with others. His love for horses and coon dogs was only surpassed by his love for family and his savior.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Othel and Esther Duff and grandson Nathan Bruce Duff. He is survived by his beautiful bride, Janiece Duff, of 66 years of marriage. By his sons, Lynn Duff and wife Cindy of Tunas, MO; Brad Duff and wife Janet of Tunas, MO. His grandchildren, Brandon Duff and wife Sharon, Jana Mankey and husband Brandon, Julie Vance and husband Sam and granddaughter Holly Duff, as well as great grandchildren; Allison Middleton and husband William, Matthew Duff and wife Marina, Caitlynn Mankey, Luke Duff, Bradley Mankey, Madison Mankey, Miriam Duff, Leah Vance and Cora Vance. He was looking forward to his first great-great-grandchild arriving in April. He is survived by his brother, Byron Ray Duff and wife Susie. He is also survived by a host of other family and friends whom he loved dearly.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 15 from 5-7 p.m., and the Celebration of Life on Thursday, November 16 at 10 a.m.. Both services will be held at Cantlon Otterness Viets Funeral Home. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
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