James served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963 and retired from AT&T after 25 years of service. An avid outdoorsman, he loved nature and possessed a green thumb for growing plants. James also enjoyed singing in church, photography, researching genealogy for family and friends, and helping people in general.
He is survived by his sisters, Janet Blake and Margaret Keel and husband Edward, all of Baton Rouge; sister-in-law, Linda Tassin Duff of Laplace, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Grady W. Duff, Sr.; mother, Ella Louis Forman; brother, Grady W. Duff, Jr.; sister, Helen Duff DeGruy; brothers-in-law, T. G. DeGruy, Jr. and Bill Blake; nephew, Jonathan Scott Duff; and great-nephew, Carlton Lee “Mac” McKenzie, Jr. A memorial visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11 am until 2 pm.