James Duff

LAKEVIEW – James E. Duff, 81, of Huntsville,OH; A man of nearly perfect health for all of his life, lost his battle to a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma on September 16, 2014 while at Logan Acres Care Center, Bellefontaine, OH.

James was born on November, 2, 1932, son of the late Elder and Clare Hayes Duff of Lakeview, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife Sandy, two sons, Scott (Diane) Duff and Dave (Renee) Duff, four grandchildren, Jason Duff, Ross (Paige) Duff, Ashley (Jeremy) Sloan and Lauren Duff and one great grandchild, Taylor Duff.

Mr. Duff was a 1950 graduate of Jackson Center High School and is recognized by many as a humble, self-taught industrialist and entrepreneur.

His true hobby and passion has been work. A career dedicated to improving his family, businesses and community. Up until recently, Jim often arrived at work before 6:00AM and didn't leave till after 6 daily.

His entrepreneurial career began at 10 years old selling candy bars and popcorn in his father's (Elder Duff's) theatre. He was very proud of the fact that the Elder remained open and recently completed and crowd funding campaign to move to a digital projector.

The Duff family businesses started with very humble means. They operated two dump trucks and began hauling stone to area farms, homes and businesses from a leased sand and gravel pit in Westminster, Ohio in the late 40's and 50's.

Duff and his father also hauled stone from Western Ohio Stone located near Huntsville until the quarry closed because it had exhausted all of its mineral deposits. Seeing this as an opportunity, Duff and his father were able to get a loan written on a napkin by an investor in Jackson Center allowing them to purchase the adjoining farm across from West Ohio Stone and they immediately began digging. Hitting solid rock, Duff and his father began operating C. E. Duff and Son, Inc. in 1956 which is now known as Duff Quarry today.

Jims has two sons, Scott and Dave Duff. Each son has had a clear effort in expanding the family business and improving its products and services. Scott Duff operates and now serves as President to Ohio Ready Mix, Inc. a regional supplier of ready mix concrete and his son Dave Duff is owner of Mr. Concrete, Inc. supplying brick and concrete block. Together with grandsons Jason and Ross, and grandson-in-law, Jeremy operate these businesses and Ohio Lumber & Building Supply today.

The Duff companies began with few employees and over the years as the company has grown because of Duff's visionary leadership, now employing more than 50+ people today. The late Duff credited his success as a reflection of the success of the company as a whole, every team member down to the person operating the loader. His attention to detail and caring for his employees is one of his many attributes that his sons and grandsons are committed to continuing today. By providing fair wages, generous benefits, many Duff employees have been with the company for more than 40 years. Several employees are also multi-generational, meaning that both father and son have worked at the operation.

Jim was very proud of the operation which has been featured in many trade journeys and industry magazines. In 2009, the quarry was featured in Rock Products & Pit and Quarry Magazine as having one of the most advanced crushing operations in the US.

Jim Duff has had a very active hand in developing and improving the Indian Lake area.

He is credited for founding the Indian Lake Industrial park which include World Class Plastics and West Ohio Tool and was also instrumental in the site selection process for the Transpiration Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio.

He also was the vision behind the creation of Indian Meadows, one of the largest residential subdivisions at Indian Lake and recently his support for the revitalization of the Sandy Beach Bridge.

Many of his achievements include siting on the Board of Directors for Ohio Ready Mix Concrete Association, Board of Directors for Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association, Board of Directors Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, Alumnus of the Year - Jackson Center High School, 2007

Duff leaves a legacy strongly rooted in improving the quality of life in his community his legacy and passion lives on in his family. His son, Dave and Grandson Ross have started a new premier waterfront development at Indian Lake - Longview Cove.

His grandson, Jason has been credited with many of the restoration efforts in Downtown Lakeview and Downtown Bellefontaine - collectively renovating and redeveloping more than 18 buildings including projects like Six Hundred Downtown, The Marketplace, The Historic Canby Building, Chops and Hops Brewhaus and The Canterbury Building.

Pastor Bryan Meadows will begin funeral services 2:00 pm, Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Huntsville United Methodist Church, 6611 Fruit Street, Huntsville, OH 43324. Visitation is from 2-8 pm, Friday, September 19, 2014 at Huntsville Event Center, 6886 Wishart Street, Huntsville and one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorial Contribution may be given in Mr. Duff's name to Huntsville United Methodist Church, PO Box 235, Huntsville, OH 43324, Huntsville Presbyterian Church, PO Box 254, Huntsville, OH 43324 or Herbert J. Block Tournament, OSUCC-James Development Office, PO Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218-3112

Services are in the care of SHOFFSTALL FUNERAL HOME, Lakeview. Condolences may be expressed at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.