James J. Duffee

James John Duffee was born in LaGrange Illinois, to Urban (Jack) Morris Duffee and Ann Elizabeth Groshell who preceded him in death. With his two older brothers, Jack and Tom, his family lived in the Chicago area most of his life, sometimes living in apartments over his dad's barber shop. It was a good childhood, with his best memories being mischievous with his brothers, his time as a Catholic Altar Boy and spending summers with his half sister, Virginia, in Arkansas. His family then settled for a warmer climate in California and Jim graduated from San Fernando High School.

Jim's passions in life have stemmed from his creativity, strong work ethic and pride and perfection in everything he did. He started his career in the grocery business, where he worked his way up from box boy to store manager. He talked of his days at Food Giant and Ralphs Markets in California with many stories of success and friendships along the way. During this time, he was married with 5 children, 4 sons and finally a daughter that he was waiting for. His dedication to his job paid off by being an excellent provider to his large growing family. Having many nice homes, cars and swimming pools, he enjoyed his family life. After his brother Tom moved to Oregon, Jim decided to review the job market and he landed a job quickly and moved his family here. He worked for many successful grocery chains. After a decade or so, he and his wife divorced. He was working at Keil's Thriftway in Beaverton at the time and then moved into the wholesale side of the produce business and started work at Caruso Produce.

Jim and Lisa met on a blind date and started a 31 year romance and 27 year marriage. Their relationship was not a typical one, but it endured many years of happiness. They both shared the same work ethic, but enjoyed having fun with friends and traveling for vacation and business. They also started their marriage with a passion for remodeling and built a large custom kitchen in their 1958 home and then over the years turned this 2 bedroom 1 bath dream house into a 5 bedroom, 3,800 square foot home. They also purchased a dilapidated cabin near the coast and over a year's time, transformed it into their weekend retreat. We have many memories of relaxing weekends at the coast listening to Bear Creek.

Jim was now happily working for Bob Lamb's Thriftway and he was instrumental in opening both of the new Wilsonville Stores as Produce Manager. He gained many lasting friendships during this time also. Then Jim started his cabinet making business, Duffee Designs, full time in 1995.

In 2000 he and his wife Lisa moved to the country again, purchasing a small home with a large shop for him to continue his cabinet business. He thrived making custom cabinets and working for himself, which takes a great deal of discipline and courage. His creativity, honesty and a genuine caring about his customer's happiness, kept him busy. He has met so many wonderful people along this journey as well and I am so happy he had all of this in his life.

He also took pride in his property, with two acres; he created a park like setting with a large pond and waterfall feature. Our home is also made of love, with custom cabinets in the study, utility room, bathroom and garage and two years ago the cabinet maker's wife got her beautiful custom kitchen.

In 2003, we had a moment like no other, meeting our daughter and bringing her home. Jim had a bond with her that was so special. He has taught her so much in her 14 years and they enjoy drawing and watching western movies together. They work in the shop on little projects and she has followed him around the yard for years. Jim took the morning shift and he made sure she was on and off the bus every day and took her to all her sport practices. He got to know many of her coaches and enjoyed this part of life so much. He also showed her so much love and made sure we never left each other without a kiss and I love you. We are so proud of him as a father.

Jim also had many other passions and one was that he loved John Wayne, The Duke, and everything the Old West stood for. His beautiful cherry cabinet holds his collection of Western and Indian statues He also enjoyed watching western movies and has a set like no other. He passed this love for the old west on to many, including me.

He also loved music and was in a band and played drums in his earlier years. He passed on his love of music to his sons, all of which have been musicians in their lives. They cherish their memories of this and know that he is still listening to them sing, play guitars and drums.

Jim and I always treasured our vacations, as we worked hard but loved to play hard too, so we have wonderful memories of all our travels. Jim and I traveled to Hawaii for our first vacation and followed again to Maui on his business trip. We went to New York and Washington DC in 1992 as I attended a seminar at the World Trade Center. We went on a cruise with his mom and my parents to Canada, to take his mom on her dream cruise. Then when I started traveling for business in 1995, Jim was able to join me. We toured Spain, Holland, France, Germany and Belgium. We went to Oktoberfest in Munich and had an evening outdoor dinner in Paris. We enjoyed this special time together in our lives.

After becoming our little family, we purchased a travel trailer and this was a first for Jim; as he was not a camper, so he did this just for us. We have many happy memories at the coast, in the gorge, at the rivers with our family and friends. He especially enjoyed the trips where both of his daughters were there, as this is when he was the happiest. Jennifer and Savannah were the apples of his eyes.

We also continued taking vacations as a little family. We took a special trip to Disneyland in 2008. In 2013 we went on a cruise to Mexico for our 25th wedding anniversary. Last year we went to Yellowstone and this year we made a wonderful vacation in Holland to see all the people we had met 20 years earlier. He really enjoyed these holidays.

Jim was welcomed by my family from the beginning. He enjoyed being a part of it and watching our three nephews grow into wonderful young men. Jim's family also accepted me from the beginning and I have loved being part of this family and have been told I will be a Duffee forever.

Jim is survived by his wife Lisa and daughter Savannah and his children Michael, David, Kevin and Jennifer and their beautiful kids and grandkids too. He was so proud of all of his children and they always reminisced about good memories they had when they were growing up. He was preceded in death by his first wife Janet and son Jamie.

Jim lead a full and productive life with many good times and tough times too. He endured with grace and integrity. He was always proud of me and told me he loved me every day. What I do know now is that I would not change a thing, except for the ending.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts.