Strange Creek, WV – Jerry Richard Duffield, 68, died February 13, 2015 at home in Strange Creek.
He was born June 19, 1946 at Elkridge, WV a son of the late Harold “Carol” and Madeliene Queen Duffield.
He was preceded in death by one grandson, Samuel Adam McCoy and mother-in-law, Olga Ratliff.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Connie Ratliff Duffield; son, Sam (Melissa) Duffield of Summersville; daughter, Becky Duffield McCoy of Duck; brother, Jimmy (Helen) Duffield of Clay; sister, Nancy Nichols of Martinsburg; father-in-law, Thurman Ratliff of Duck; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Phil and Shelley McKown of Frametown; grandchildren, Blane, Hannah, Seth, Gracie, Maddie, Tyler and Jace; special grandchildren, Carlie Rae McKown, Jackson and Chance Davis, Owen, Jack and Adeline Lowther, Aven Woods, Lucy Dennison, Ethan Moore, Dakota Hunt, Emily Carter, Hunter Hannah, Anne, Kate and Todd Spencer. nephew, Philip (Cassie) McKown; nieces, Belinda (David) Walker, Barbie (Steve) Morris, Amy Hunt and Tammy Duffield, Terri (Scott) Legg and Traci (Rick) Welch.
Jerry graduated from Clay County High School in 1964. His parents owned Kilroy’s Inn where he spent countless hours growing up.
He retired October 31, 2014 from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division where he served for 50 years, finally retiring after reaching his goal of harvesting over 100 bears. He enjoyed time spent with his coworkers, whom he counted as family, especially Mark Clark and Burnard Gibson.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Jerry enjoyed excursions from Alaska to Canada, New Foundland and all over the United States, but his favorite being the Elk River where he grew up.
He was devoted to his family, spending every spare minute with his grand kids. He was everybody’s “Papaw: and loved by so many. He will be remembered for his bear stories and backyard bonfires.
Jerry was an active member of the Villa Nova Missionary Baptist Church. He loved his church family and was always found helping someone in need.
He was an Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam War.
We, as his family, find words to be inadequate at this time to memorialize such a fun, giving, loving, patient, and selfless man. We are so thankful for the assurance of heaven, for without it, this separation would be unbearable.
Service was 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at the Gassaway Baptist Church with Pastors, Joe Bob Truman, Okey Short, and John Cole officiating. Burial was in the Duffield Cemetery, Duck.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, February 16, at the Gassaway Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be sent to Villa Nova Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 5, Duck, WV 25063.
Condolences may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.
