DUFFETT, Jeffrey Scott

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Jeffrey Scott Duffett, 53, died Dec. 10, 2009, at his home in Prescott. He was born at Offutt AFB, Omaha, Neb., on Nov. 9, 1956, to Walter N. Duffett and Julie Bixby Duffett. He grew up loving music of all kinds and became a gifted French horn player and was the youngest member of the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra as a high school student. He also played the piano and harmonica, which he carried into later life. He moved to Charleston, Ill. in his senior year of high school and graduated from Charleston High School in 1974 and Eastern Illinois University in 1978. He had a deep interest in philosophy in college but entered graduate school in 1978 as a business major at the University of Arizona. He received a MBA degree and a CPA designation in Arizona. Most of Jeff's professional career was in industrial accounting. He worked as a cost accountant and plant controller for Phelps-Dodge Mining Company in New Mexico and Louisiana for most of his career. He also owned a pet food distributorship in Albuquerque, N.M., before retiring to Prescott a few years ago. He had a deep love for all animals, but especially for dogs. He liked his privacy, but was known for his sense of humor among his family and friends when in a group situation. He was respected for his kind and gentle attitude and deep philosophical mind. Jeff is survived by his parents; his daughter, Jessica Duffett of Sherwood, Ore.; his son, Joel Duffett of Phoenix; brother, Bruce Duffett of Prescott; sister Susan Duffett of Prescott; uncles and aunts Richard and Barbara Duffett of El Cajon, Calif., Harry and Ann Bixby of Santa Fe, N.M., and Helen Bixby of San Diego, Calif.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his first wife Gail Lindsey, the mother of his children, and his second wife Kathy Duffett. A celebration of Jeff's life will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeff's name to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements. Information provided by survivors.