Our dearest Dad enjoyed 92 years of life filled with the joy of family and many lifelong friends; he will be greatly missed. He was born February 7, 1923 and died March 4, 2015. Dad was born at home in the Foothill area of Salt Lake City into a family of three brothers and three sisters, the son of Clarence and Jenny Barlow Duffin.
He spent his childhood exploring his extended neighborhood with his brothers riding bikes, skinny dipping in Parley's Creek and going to the Saturday "Nickel" matinee. He and his brothers also delivered goods from their father's grocery store often using their little red wagon.
At Granite High he met the love of his life, Betty Richman, asking if he could carry her books home from school. They married in December of 1942 and went to Kansas City, MO where he earned his dental degree. Like most young couples during WWII, they struggled financially often eating noodle soup or waffles night after night. Nevertheless, they spent 71 fun and adventurous years together snow skiing and traveling extensively. Our family and friends had wonderful water ski outings and trips to Colter Bay at Jackson Lake with the little yellow boat.
He established his dental practice around the corner from his childhood home. As a well respected dentist, he served as the president of the Salt Lake Dental Society. He and other dental colleagues created a "Study Club" for continuing research into the most up-to-date dental practices.
Dad was preceded in death a little over a year ago by his sweetheart Betty, and earlier by two grandchildren, Scott Richard Jones and Elizabeth Rose Weeks. He is survived by his three girls, Linda (Jim) Jones, Susan (Mike) Zuhl and Cassy (Jim) Weeks and his six grandchildren, Jeff, Stephanie, Andrea, Alex, J.C., and Sadie, and one great granddaughter, Abby.
There will be a graveside service held Saturday, March 7, 2015 in the Park City Cemetery at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Primary Children's Hospital in Dad's name.
