Joe Duffey

1945 - 2026

Joe Harold Duffey, 80, of Liberty, Missouri passed away peacefully February 16, 2026.

He was born on December 12, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri to Ruby and Harold Duffey. The youngest of his family, he was raised in both Sweet Springs and Liberty. He spent his childhood attending a one-room schoolhouse, running around on farmland surrounded by a large, loving family. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1963, where he was starting safety for the football team. He went on to study at William Jewell College where he joined his beloved Sigma Nu fraternity. He was the first to attend college in his family and remained an active alumnus for decades. Upon college graduation in 1967, he began a career in sales for Procter & Gamble, where he became the top salesperson in the United States. He was then mentored and offered an opportunity in real estate. This would change the trajectory of his career. He started Chasteen-Duffey Real Estate, and the rest was history. He had an enormously successful career in real estate development and brokerages over the span of 50 years in the city of Liberty and the Northland. His roots and passion for the community ran deep. Joe mentored countless individuals over the course of his career and championed for others' success. He also actively volunteered with the Salvation Army, Sertoma and Chamber of Commerce in Liberty.

Even with all of his professional achievements, nothing was more important to him than family. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane and their five children; his twin girls Blythe (Michael) Schwab of Katy, Texas & Lauren (Gouverneur) Duffey-Siegel of Charlotte, North Carolina, Shannon Reidy of Leawood, Kansas, Joseph (Jade) Reidy of San Diego, California and Bridget (Todd) Herrman of Liberty, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Jackson, Adeline and Charlie Herrman; Lillian and Thomas Reidy; Heidi and Lydia Schwab; Gov, Ruby and Bauer Siegel. Along with many extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother John Richard Duffey and sister Delpha (Lucille) Arndt.

He will be remembered for his absolute generosity, kindness, and intellect. An insatiable appetite for knowledge and reading. His many quips, a family favorite, "close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades". His talent for storytelling. His love of sports, especially football. He will also be remembered for all of the happy memories shared at both their farm and Florida homes over the years. His was a life abundantly well-lived and he will be forever missed.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses and caregivers at McCrite Plaza for their compassionate care over the years.

A private funeral service will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Liberty, MO.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be directed to William Jewell College in memory of Joe Duffey. Checks/cash may be mailed to:

William Jewell College

Advancement

500 College Hill

Liberty, MO 64068

Or gift online in memory of him at:

https://alumni.jewell.edu/give/jewell-fund