James Melvin McDuff

James Melvin McDuff, 83, of Shawnee, Kansas died at Hospice House of Olathe, Monday, Jan. 27th 2025. James was born in Shreveport, LA on Jan. 30th 1941 to Col. Melvin Audrey and Lou Seale (Barber) McDuff. They were a traditional southern family where “Jimmy” learned basic values of honor, service to God, parents, and country. Shreveport was always home, but he was raised on Army bases during his father’s military career in the Army. This provided many wonderful experiences, travel, and training that led to his own service in the military, joining and being a life-long Boy Scout, and then leading his family to the St. Louis area in 1958. Jim attended Parkway High School in St. Louis, MO for his senior year 1958-59. As a football player, he needed a date for the Football Prom. Friends suggested a cute girl named Susan Nissen and the rest is history.... They went to that prom and in Jim’s own words “dated steadily the rest of the year and fell deeply in love!!!!!”

The future held college degrees for both, Jim earned a Bachelor of Geological engineering from University School of Mines, Rolla MO. They were married in June of 1962, and on Jan. 27th of 1964, Jim was commissioned 2nd Lt in the US Army Corp of Engineers. The next 5 years of active duty were between Ft. Carson, CO. Ft Leonard Wood, MO, and deployments to Thailand and Vietnam. Family was always important to Jim. Two children came along in1965-69, Michelle and Doug. After Vietnam, Jim took a position with Southwestern Bell Telephone, which became a successful 30-year career in management for him. This career took the family to several cities over the years, St. Louis, Wichita, Hays, and ending in Shawnee, KS. Three more children blessed the family; Jamie, who passed at 4mo in 1974, Michael and Annie. Jim “retired” from SWB in 1998, but really just began his second career, a military collectible business, K&M Collectibles. Jim enjoyed 28 years of retirement with this business, traveling the country with Sue, doing all things he loved in Scouts, time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandson, and loving all his beloved dogs. He was a very loyal, generous, caring, and hardworking man who impacted many people in his life.

Military positions/awards: active duty Jan/ 1964- 1969 Army reserves 1969- 1979 Natl Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Meritorious Unit Citation 1 Overseas bar Expert Badge (Pistol.45) Vietnam Campaign Medal Bronze Star Medal Army Commendation Medal Expert Badge (Rifle M-14) Expert (Rifle M-16).

Scouting awards and other positions: Eagle scout, Wood Badge, Silver Beaver award, 40+ years adult leaderships positions, OA Lodge advisor, past District commissioner, rifle instructor. Work in the KC area: President of the Board of Directors for the Liberty Memorial Foundation, Finance committee and Sunday school teacher at Shawnee UMC.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Laddie,1937, and son, James Edwin McDuff 4 mo,1974. Survivors include his wife of 62 yrs, Susan Dolores McDuff; children, Michelle Reed(Doug), Douglas Melvin McDuff (Connie Smith), Michael “Mike” James McDuff(Lacy ) and Annette Marie McDuff(Raymond Cooper). Grandchildren, Sarah Reed Powers (John), Douglas Reed, jr. (Taylor Egerstrom), Daniel Reed, Andrew Reed (Katlyn Harrison), Brent McDuff (Allison Neal), Jamie Barber, Elliott Barber, Aaron Barber, Joanna Barber, David Barber, Benjamin Barber, Jesse Wittkopp, Grantly Jones, and Great- grandson, John Douglas Powers. His Brother, Charles McDuff (Diane) of Palisade, CO, brother-in-law Charlie Huggins (Mary) of Sheridan, WY, sister-in-law Annette Owing of St. Louis, many work associates, church friends, hobby friends and military buddies. 

A memorial service will be held at Shawnee United Methodist Church on Saturday, Feb. 15th 2025 at 2:00 p.m. 

Memorial contributions may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation.