Duffy Carduff (John Beckett Carduff III)
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– Grateful Dead 1970
Duffy Carduff, (John Beckett Carduff III), made a peaceful departure from the Earth on December 4, 2023, at the age of 76. He is survived by his awesome and amazing wife, Marie Carduff, their children: Tavish Carduff (Fred Smith), Chauncey Davis (Mike Davis) and Beckett Carduff (Kris-Ann McKenzie Carduff); his sisters: Cynthy Gambino (Augie Gambino) and Beebe Nauert (Pete Nauert); his grandchildren: Taylor Swank, Alex Davis, Sullivan Ford, Clayton Ford (Leighton Jones), Marin Sanders, Sergeant Benjamin Smith, Madigan Sanders, and Kessler Carduff, as well as his many beloved nieces and nephews (plus their kids!) and a ton of friends that feel like family.
Born on May 15, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri to John B. Carduff, Jr., “Jack” and Beverly Bash Carduff, Duffy was, above all else, an avid collector of great friends, great stories and great music. He served in the National Guard, the setting for some funny stories, and an opportunity to hone his unique people skills. He helped pull off Kansas City’s first rock concert, which is an incredible tale involving off-duty police officers and the importance of insurance policies. Later on, he owned Budget Tapes and Records, a local music store, which afforded him many cool things, but most notably the opportunity to spend a day around one of his musical mentors, Jimmy Buffett. This is one of his best-loved stories, told recently because Jimmy passed 94 days before Duffy did.
His career started and ended with a successful family T-Shirt business. Eagle Products was founded in 1966, and remained Carduff-Strong until most of the family was ready to retire. Eagle Products was in the business of selling T-Shirts, but their five retail gift stores, The infamous Campus Madhouses, were Duffy’s early training ground for who he would become. He turned what he learned into hippie gold, and he cherished the whole journey. Privately, he was a writer, penning songs and poems that showcased his appreciation for clever phrases on a whim. The Madhouse’s notoriously floody basement was permanently chronicled in Ozark Mountain Daredevil’s Leatherwood with the lyric “Was a Madhouse once flooded by the rain? Or did I once live it in a dream?” He really loved that one! Despite its challenges, the Campus Madhouse grew very strong roots using the productive creativity that would eventually become the heart of the mission at Eagle Products, Inc.
When Jack Carduff, a legend in his own right, was ready to step down, Duffy was honored to step into his shoes, and they fit comfortably for many years. Running the company with Marie’s support – alongside his sister Beebe, brother-in-law Pete, and family friend Bill Hanger – was an ongoing source of joy, but they eventually made the family decision to retire in 2014. It was the end of an era, and Duffy never fully signed off from the love of the work, continuing to write orders for certain customers until right now. As the face of Eagle Products, he maintained lifelong, meaningful relationships with his employees, salespeople and customers. He also inspired their signature design, the Bear Whiz Beer Bear, which sold very well until its success became challenged by lawsuits from larger companies, creating even more great stories, and fueling his often hilarious riffs about humanity and greed.
As a long-time member of the Kansas City Disc Golf Community, Duffy was a constant source of support that ranged from filling last minute t-shirt orders, to artwork assistance to encouraging participation in the sport. Early on, his living room was used for informal planning meetings, as they all dreamed of future possibilities: multiple courses, tournaments, pay to play options, and an ever-growing community of really great people bonded by the joy of feeling a simple piece of plastic fly through the air over and over again in beautiful surroundings. Until then, they made tracks around our home course, The Religious Nine, which started and ended on our front porch and utilized the entire grounds of the church across the street.
Duffy was a fun-loving husband and father, dedicated to the pursuit of love and a good time. He was a natural salesman, and he enjoyed bringing that into all aspects of his life. He had a profound appreciation for the wonders of music, books, art, food and nature, finding his greatest joy in time spent with family and friends. His love of reading was a catalyst and testament to how much he enjoyed interesting characters, real or imagined, and he was known to bring a book to the dinner table if he was at a point he couldn’t put it down. Just like his taste in books and music, his friends have always been pulled from vastly diverse groups of people, so it might not be easy to spot their common thread at first glance. When you spot them, it becomes obvious that they all share a subjective feeling of connection that remains firmly in place as time goes by, and he deeply valued humor.
Beyond his incredible capacity for love and light, Duffy was a natural mathematician and problem solver, quickly able to cut to the chase in any situation. He gave good counsel to anyone who asked his opinion, and his simple solutions touched on the basic truths of human nature with a certain grace, even though he did not often tread lightly. As a deeply spiritual man, Duffy was confident in his connection to a power outside of himself, and that awareness always shined through, leaving an indelible mark on the company he kept without even trying.
Duffy Carduff’s memory will forever be cherished by his loved ones and all who were touched by his wisdom, love, and passion. His devotion to family, his mastery of the meaning of music, and his relentless determination to live life on his own terms will leave a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds. May he rest in love and peace.
We would be honored to have family and friends join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday February 3, 2024, at Longview Mansion (1200 SW Longview Park Drive. Lee’s Summit, MO 64081) from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, with the service at 02:00 PM.
Sometimes it is hard to wait! So, if you feel the need to honor him right away, his family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to support one of the following organizations that Duffy would honor himself:
May you rest in Peace Duffy ??
Our deepest condolences.
Ed & Cathy Nanz
What a beautiful life well lived…you tribute to him is amazing! May you feel his enthusiasm for life each day and carry that on in all you do!
Bonnie Burke Kay
That was so well written and goes deep in to who he was, and had the pleasure to meet him and his family more than once, my heart hurts for your loss and you are in my thoughts and prayers only.
Rest in Heavenly peace, Big Fish.
Thanks for everything….
What an amazing obituary. I learned more about Duffy and wish I had known him better. To me I thought of him as a big Teddy Bear with a kind and gentle spirit. He was a great neighbor and friend and will be greatly missed.
Thank you Duffy for all your help to us when we started out in our new T-Shirt career in 2004. Then after that so much help until 2014. We could not have been so successful without that help from you, Marie, Bill Hanson and everyone at Eagle! Rest in peace . Rich & Debbie Gipson
What a guy. So happy I got to meet him way back in 70 when I wandered into Campus Madhouse in Lawrence,KS. After I bought a Jimi Hendrix black light poster, we visited for awhile and stayed in touch ever since. Was thrilled to work for Eagle Products. Duffy and I had many wonderful sales/road trips together, and will cherish my memories of Duff forever.
Reggie
One of the things in my life that I’m most proud of is being able to call Duffy one of my very best friends.
i love you and i’m gonna miss you!!!! All of us cousins will miss you ????
The layers of Duffy’s soul are evident through this tribute. The number of people whose lives he touched and the quality of these relationships was demonstrated exceptionally. This expression of his life successfully gives me and family yet another ability to carry his spirit within our hearts ?.
PEACE ?? and LOVE to a true artist of life…
The most down to earth dreamer I have ever had the pleasure to have known.
My deepest condolences to the entire Carduff family. I worked at Eagle in various capacities for 6 years, only because Duffy and Bill gave me a chance. I’ll never forget that kindness. Duffy was wild on life, and every day a new adventure then, and carried on since. For Marie, Beebe, Pete and Bill, the memories of brighter times with Duffy will prevail. RIP, Duffy…
I will miss Duffy..
He had a great combination of wit and love putting people at ease and had them laughing at the same time.
I had the pleasure of working for Duffy as a sales rep in my forty plus yrs it was the best time I ever had working for him and his family! Will miss him very much that was a legion in this industry love ya buddy
He lived quite a life – I enjoyed reading every word. My husband & I were among the grateful customers of Eagle Products for our disc golf endeavors; they saved our bacon a time or two. Thank you for everything.
Liz BB & MK
A great life he lived. I learned things about him I didn’t know about especially his love of music in the obituary. Thanks for sharing.
A great pitch player. Enjoyed playing with him.
Duffy lived an interesting life. I enjoyed playing pitch with him. Shoot the moon Duffy and enjoy jamming with Jimmy Buffet.
So sorry for your loss. I am holding you in my heart.
You will be missed! Rest well in Jesus arms! I and many more people we’re blessed to share a part of life with you.
GOD BLESS YOU DUFF
I worked with Duffy for over 20 years and I thought I knew him quite well. The tribute to Duffy was so well written that I learned more about him plus validated my UPMOST belief in Duffy as a financial leader of Eagle Products. A big man with a soft tender voice. My condolenses to Marie, Beebe, Pete, Bill and all of Duffys family. A good man that you will never forget. Good bless
Sad to hear of Duffy’s passing. He was such a good guy and always had a smile on his face. Who can for get playing in the “Eagle Products Open” golf tournaments. Eagle Products made tee shirts for several softball teams I played on. You will be sorely missed my friend. May you Rest in Peace.
My brother, George Turner, was an Sig Ep at Emporia with Duffy. I was in elementary school at the time and knew Duffy was a special man.
I knew Duffy in college and we were in the same fraternity. Before I read anything about his passing my wife asked me about him. I said smart, fun, a bit hippyish, joyful and with a work ethic.
He will be missed.
Saw in the paper today that John had passed away. Sometimes the world is very small. I was in John’s platoon during basic training in Fort Polk LA in 1970. Actually, it might have been two week summer camp as we called it the the Army Reserves and National Guard. Not sure, its been over 50 years. John was a big man and the drill sergeant always pushed him and actually picked on him a lot. I can always remember our trips to the rifle range which was about six miles, and it was very hot. Our fatigue uniforms were long sleeve and it was very warm and humid. John always made it but he would sweat to the point that steam would be rising off him as he ran. Funny how you remember things. After our time working for Uncle Sam, we would occasionaly run into each other and reminisce about those days. Years later, marriage came along with me and I had the most wonderful father in law, Dr. Don Davis. He gave me a buck knife that he said was given to me by his best friend, Jack (Jay) Carduff. I’m married to his daughter Debby and she said she was good friends of the family, especially John’s sister. I still have the knife and it’s engraved (To My Friend Don Davis M.D. from Jay). As I said, small world.
Found memories of Duffy, a man with a big smile, who brought so many smiles out from others. My condolences to all of his family.
I have to leave an apology for all of you that read my previous comments. I did serve on active duty with John but I was confused about his fathers relationship with my father in law Don Davis. I was mistaken. That was another gentleman.
Duffy was my basketball coach back in the 80’s. He was an amazing coach, to put it mildly. The only coach in youth basketball who knew how to coach big guys how to play (bang and slam) in the paint. But much more than that, he was a great man, and he left quite an impression on me. He was larger than life- humble and selfless with his time. In fact, I was just talking about Duffy with my wife a few weeks ago, about what a great guy he was. Needless to say, our teams had the coolest uniform shirts ever created! My prayers and condolences go out to Beckett and his entire family. I feel like the Earth just wobbled a bit.
I’ve been thinking about Duffy for the past few days. I have so many good memories: his smile, hearty laugh, joy, sense of humor, love of chili cheese hot dogs, and that massive brown van crisscrossing Missouri many times. I experienced a few “firsts” with Duffy, Beckett, and Chauncey — the first time hearing “Stairway To Heaven” en route to Cliff Springs, the first time hearing “A Pirate Looks at 40” at his birthday party, the first time watching “The Breakfast Club” in his basement with Beckett, my first experience with a water-balloon slingshot (that didn’t end well), and so many more. I particularly remember being inspired by a framed poem on the wall, a very creative and personal expression of his experience of finding Faith and belief at that point in his life. He had a gift with words. He struck me as extremely intelligent about many things (like art, history, religion, science) but firmly grounded in common sense and street smarts. He was around a lot during those awkward adolescent years but always made me laugh. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and I am just as grateful for my time with Beckett. My condolences to the family. Coincidentally, I will be in Kansas City this coming weekend (with my six-year-old son), and barring any weather or child disasters, I’ll see you at the Celebration of Life!
There are some people you meet in life that grab your heart but with a quite presence. Duffy was that kind of person. I worked with Marie for several years and saw Duffy at the usual office gatherings and when he was in for appointments. While he was reading waiting to get in, I thought, for fun, I’d ask Duff a question. I peeked my head out and said, “hey Duffy, what kind of tattoo did Jimmy Buffet get ?” He looked up and with that solemn sheepish grin and replied, “Brand new “then continued
reading.
Enjoy Heaven Duffy and tell Jimmy hey for us.
Duffy will be missed in the neighborhood. We know you will hold him in your heart forever.
Jim & Marsha
Duffy always brought to ever table we gathered around! He and Marie celebrated rock n roll with our small group of music lovers in style.
We feel his loss deeply. Lovecto you Marie.
Duffy always brought joy to every table we gathered around! He and Marie celebrated rock n roll with our small group of music lovers in style.
We feel his loss deeply. Lovecto you Marie.
Duffey, was one of the greatest men I knew, work at Eagle Products for 11 years. He taught me a lot about business and having fun. It was a great pleasure to work for suck a great family.
You will truly be missed!!!
Jeno