Dr. Jay C. Duffield

Dr. Jay C. Duffield, of Joplin, died peacefully at his home Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Jay was born on Nov. 17, 1961, at Quinter, Kan., to Jackie Charles Duffield and Marilyn Kay (Duffield) Zapponi. He graduated from Grove High School, Grove, Okla., in 1980, and received an associate’s degree in biology in 1982, from Northeastern Oklahoma A and M College in Miami, Okla., where he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Jay graduated with a bachelor of science degree in zoology from the University of Oklahoma in 1984, where he was honored as a Phi Beta Kappa. Jay’s education continued at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, where he was named a graduate with distinction upon graduation in 1988. After medical school, he completed his internship in internal medicine at OU-Tulsa Medical College and a three-year neurology residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. While a senior resident at UT-Southwestern, he was honored by being selected chief resident of the department of neurology. He was a board certified member of the American Academy of Neurology and Psychiatry. Notwithstanding all his academic and professional accomplishments, Jay considered his greatest joy to be his faith in God, which he exemplified in the way he lived his life and the way he dealt with his illness. He demonstrated grace and integrity in all his actions and his lengthy illness allowed a rare empathy which he expressed toward his patients daily in his medical practice. His love for his family was unsurpassing. He married the former Lynne Halterman, of Grove, on Feb. 4, 1989. After completing his residency, Jay and Lynne moved to Bartlesville, Okla., where he began his medical practice at Jane Phillips Memorial Medical Center. While in Bartlesville, Dr. Duffield was a member of the Washington-Nowata County Medical Society, serving as its president in 1994. He was member of East Cross United Methodist Church, Bartlesville. In January 1997, Dr. Duffield began practicing at Freeman Hospital in Joplin and remained on staff there until ill health forced him to retire in 2002. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, of Joplin, and was active in the First Dawn men’s group there. He also participated in the Grand Lake Emmaus Community and took great pride in his duties as a volunteer at the Freeman Cancer Institute. Dr. Duffield was preceded in death by his father, Jack Duffield. He is survived by his wife, Lynne and their sons, Cole and Andrew, all of the home; his mother and stepfather, Marilyn and Jerry Zapponi, of Grove; two sisters, Joni and husband, Craig Stevens, of Rolla, Mo., and Barbara and husband, Doug Powell, of Nashville, Tenn.; along with several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by a special uncle and aunt, Bill and Jane Duffield, of Grove. A service in celebration of his life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at First United Methodist Church in Joplin. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday at Olympus Cemetery in Grove. Casket bearers will be Bill Duffield, Dr. Mark Halterman, Craig Stevens, Doug Powell, Charles Mortimer and Brent Hauser. Honorary casket bearers are Zach Duffield, Dr. Brad Reeves, Dr. Ken Pottenger, Jeffrey Curran, Charles Brower, Dr. Blake Little, Dr. Charles Sherrod, Dr. David Croy, Jud Fisher, Gary Castor, Grant Mitchell and Dr. Mitch Meier. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Scholar’s Choice 529 Plans in place for Jay’s sons. Make checks payable to: “Smith Barney fbo Andrew and Jonathan Duffield 529 Plans.” These may be mailed to Cynthia at First United Methodist Church, 501 W. 4th Street, Joplin, Mo. 64801. Please consult your financial advisor. Online condolences may be made at parkermortuary.com