Ronald Duffy

Ron Duffy, 75, of KCK passed away June 10, 2013. He was born to Andrew Poe Duffy and Johanna Von Holten Duffy on Feb. 7, 1938, in Kansas City, MO. He was a graduate of Wyandotte High School and was a charter member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kansas City, KS. His first job was as a paperboy for the Kansas City Kansan at age 9 and shortly thereafter he worked for his Uncle George Von Holten at his poultry house in KCK. He began his adult career working for a brief time at Kansas City Terminal, Kansas City Southern Rail Road, and Frisco Rail Road before moving on to Bendix Corporation. In 1965 he went to work for Trans World Airlines as a maintenance mechanic and joined the IAM (machinists) Union Local 1650. He served as a union steward, was elected to the grievance committee, and served as editor to the IAM Local 1650 Baseline Sentinel newsletter, at one time having over 4,000 subscribers. He was passionate in his belief of fairness and workers' rights. Ron was a lifelong Democrat, thrived on a good political debate, and was a self described bleeding heart liberal. He retired from TWA in 1999. He enjoyed golfing, woodworking, home and yard improvement projects, cheering on the KU Jayhawks, and cultivating his many friendships. As a devoted fan of Jack Daniel's, he was nominated and accepted into the Tennessee Squire Association where he became proud "owner" of an unrecorded plot of land at the distillery and honorary citizenship of Moore County, TN. Ron married Shirley Crook Castleberry in 1977. Over the years, they traveled numerous times to the islands of Hawaii, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, and other states in the union including Shirley's home state of Arkansas, where they spent time with family and good friends. Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, A. P. and Johanna Von Holton Duffy; son, Ronald A. Duffy; and brother, Ralph Duffy (Berneice). Surviving is Ron's wife, Shirley, of 35 years; son, Daniel Duffy; daughter, Jennifer Green (Victor); son, Keith Castleberry (Maria); son, Bryan Castleberry (Kristin); eight grandchildren; sister, Karen Barth (Charlie); and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm, Thursday, June 13, 2013, at the Amos Family Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 11 am, Friday, June 14, 2013, also at the funeral home. Private family burial will take place at a later date in Pangburn, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.