John Robert Duff (Oak View, CA)
Following a long and courageous battle with cancer, John Robert Duff, 53, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2013. Born September 24, 1959 in Laguna Beach, California, John was the sixth of ten children born to John and Glaphry Duff.
After graduating from Fallbrook High School in 1977, John entered the fire service in Fallbrook , California and was later hired by Ventura City Fire Department. During his 30-year tenure, John served as a technical rescue coordinator, urban search and rescue director, fire engineer, and captain at Station 5 for 15 years.
An avid fisherman and hunter, John loved the outdoors and lived his life with vigor. Even through his illness, John brought continuous joy to all who knew him. John is survived by his wife, Diana, and their three children: Benjamin, Hanna, and Caleb. He is preceded in death by his father John Cummings Duff (Lt. Col, USMC, Ret.)
John will be laid to rest on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 3pm at Grace Lutheran Church 6190 Telephone Rd. in Ventura with the internment to follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was John's wish that donations be made to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network: http://fcsn.net/donate or mail: FCSN 2600 W. Olive Ave., 5th Floor, Burbank, CA 91505
A public visitation will be held on Wednesday February 20, 2013 from 2 PM to 5 PM at Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Dr. Ventura CA. (805) 642-8134
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 15, 2014
bill macy
I will always remember John Tiger Duff.
March 11, 2013
Bill Macy
Dear Diana, Ben, Hanna and Caleb,
I am shocked and so deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. My deepest and most sincere condolences, prayers and thoughts to all of you.
John was my best friend growing up and I always thought of him as the brother I never had. I am so sad that I did not hear of this until today and that I was not at least able to attend the service.
I loved John. He was an amazing man, a true friend (and those are truly so rare) and my heart is breaking.
If there is anything I might do for any of you I will be more than happy to do so, for John was a true man and would have done the same for me.
The world was a better place with a man like John in it.
My love and prayers to the Duff family.
Bill Macy
February 27, 2013
Yvonne Olson
Diana, Ben, Hanna and Caleb and the rest of John's family ~
Grief can be so hard, but the special memories that you have will help you to cope. John's spirit has not left you but has moved deeper inside your heart. Treasure your memories and let the blessings that you shared bathe you with comfort, and inspire you to go on. May those memories help you through every tomorrow. So many share with you your sorrow and your loss. My heart is hurting for your entire family and I am praying for the Lord to give you comfort. May God's hand touch each and everyone of you and give you his peace.
With my deepest heartfelt sympathy..
February 26, 2013
Heike
Hello,
I am so sorry for your loss!! My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Heike - A friend of Cynthia's
February 23, 2013
Lela Henke
Dear Diana, Ben, Hanna and Caleb - My brother Karl kept me informed regarding John. It broke my heart when I first learned of his illness. I remember him as as tall, strong, and funny. Kayla remembers going to the fire station and afraid to get into the fire engine because they might get called out. She only about 3 then. But she remembers that and all of you. God bless you and all of John's loved ones. Our love to you all.
Lela, Kayla and John Dobroth
February 23, 2013
Raymond Story
Hi , Duff family , Ann and relatives . I
went to high school with John . My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May your family , friends ,and relatives find strength and comfort in the days ahead . John was a great guy and will dearly be missed .
Sincerely , Raymond Story
February 21, 2013
Gary and Dorothy Hitch
Dear Diana, Gary and I were at the lovely service today and his spirit was definitely there with us. He was a dear friend. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Love, Gary and Dorothy Hitch
February 21, 2013
Dear Diana and Family. Gary and I were at John's service today and it was so lovely and personal that his spirit was definitely there with all of us. He was a dear friend of ours.
Love to you, Gary and Dorothy Hitch
February 21, 2013
Wayne & Ann Michael
Dear Diana and the entire Family,
We hurt with you .. John definetly fought hard to stay with you. May you be Blessed with the peace that only God can give you.
Our Sincere Sympathy,
and Love,
Wayne & Ann
Praying for you!
February 21, 2013
Ray Luna
I just want to let the family know the heart-felt sorrow I have for the family at John's passing. At times like this words fall short of expressing my sympathy. Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 21, 2013
Richard Johnston
Diana, Ben, Hanna, and Caleb,
I often find myself questioning why God makes the choices he does. This is one of those times. I know he has a reason to call a great man like John, so early, but it is beyond me. I will tell you that there are few who showed how important it is to be humble and serve the Lord. I have take comfort in this verse from time to time, perhaps it will offer you some comfort.
John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
John knew the way also. God Bless and we are praying for you.
February 21, 2013
Valta & Billy Teegarden
John....neighborhood get-together's,Boy Scouts, hunting, great memories, just a great person. He and your family 'fought the good fight'. Know one could have fought harder. Our hearts and prayers are forever with all of you.
Billy & Valta Teegarden
February 21, 2013
Gary Smith
RIP brother. Condolences to John's family.
February 21, 2013
Lori Leach
Hugs, peace, light and love to you. His laughter stays in my heart.
February 21, 2013
C Kemppainen
Though I did not know him personally, I am inspired by his courage as he faced his battle. May we all be so strong. May we all know his peace.
"Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for comfort for Tiger's family. Help them to seek from You what only You can provide. Share will all just a little peace that he now has. We praise You, Jesus, for all the blessings lived through Tiger and for the impact his life as brought. By the Name and Blood of our Lord, Jesus, we pray. Amen."
February 21, 2013
Hillary Asbury
Dearest Duff Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. What a loving and courageous man John was. You are such a brave and beautiful family, I only wish I could be there in person to offer my love and support. Take heart, we will see our loves again soon.
"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
February 20, 2013
We were so sad to hear about John. Our deepest condolences. Love from the Driscolls.
February 20, 2013
Craig, Karen Oswald
Diana, and kids.
Our hearts are filled with such saddness. John was one of a kind, with a huge heart.We will never forget his kindness, laughter, and great since of humor.
R.I.P. John..
Love from the Oswald's Craig, Karen, Tyler,& Hannah
February 20, 2013
Diana,
We know John fought a long hard battle with tremendous support from you and your children. Our prayers are with you.
We will forever appreciate all you gave to Bobby at a very difficult time for you. He is a better person for everything you did .
Thank you,
Jan,Bob and Bobby
February 20, 2013
William Haydon
Diana and kids
I was quite sorry to hear about John's death. Having been there and done that with Patty many years ago, I have some idea of what you are going through. I wish you the best and my prayers are with you.
February 20, 2013
John was an incredibly wonderful person! He will be missed by myself and all those that had the honor and pleasure to know him and work with him.
Tracey Pirie
February 20, 2013
Crystal Davis
My love and thoughts to you. John's love, humor, and courage were truly amazing. I will be thinking of him this year when I participate in the Relay for Life.
February 19, 2013
Rosalie Argue
Diana, I was so sorry to hear about John. You both fought a hard battle with his cancer.
Our prayers are with you and your family. God Bless You!
February 19, 2013
Jeff Beeh
"Dear Diana, Ben, Hanna and Caleb. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. It is a honor knowing John over the past 20 years. He certainly loves you all very much."
February 19, 2013
Callum MacSween
It's hard to put into words how I feel about John. He was such a good friend and neighbor. If it was helping with anything you needed or just yukking it up. Simply said, John Duff was one of Gods good ones. His presence will be missed by all that knew him, but his spirit will be with us forever. Gods speed John.
February 19, 2013
The Winn Family
Diana, Ben, Hanna, and Caleb. We are so sorry for your great loss! John was a wonderful person. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
February 19, 2013
Glaphry Duff
My son, John, was a joy to raise. He had a fantastic sense of humor and could imitate almost everyone and everything. As a teen he was on the waterpolo team and the swim team, he was also an avid scuba diver. The bane of his existance as a teen was his very curly hair. I cought his sister's friend trying to iron out the curls. He worked with his father doing home repair through his teen years and learned much about keeping up his own home. He served as acolyte at St. Stephen Lutheran church in Fallbrook, CA. throughout his youth. He was a favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews because he would lift them, upside down, so they could walk on the ceiling, then he would pretend he was going to flush them down the toilet. He will be missed so very much, but is now at rest with his father at the feet of Jesus.
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