Born on March 31, 1926 in Clearfield, “Jack” was the son of John K. Dufton, Sr., and Margaret Catherine Betts. As a boy he was active playing with his best friend, Roy Kindig or riding horses with his father and sister, Joan. By age ten, he was working after school, assembling bicycles and doing odd jobs at the family owned Dufton Hardware store.
He graduated from high school in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La, involved in the Battle of the Sea of Japan. Later, he was at the Bikini Atoll, witnessing atomic test blasts while still aboard the Shangri-La. After his honorable discharge, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and earned his “wings” (’47-’49).
Next, he studied for two years at the New Mexico School of Mine Engineering. He was called back into town upon the death of his mother. Because the hardware was overwhelmed with supplying the building of Curtis-Wright and the post-war building boom, his family encouraged him to stay and take his place with them.
He worked at the hardware store from 1950-1957; then, he and his father formed a partnership, and they opened Dufton Builders’ Supply, which they ran together from 1957-1986.
He served his community in several ways regarding our schools, our water, and community loans. He served on the school board (’64-’70), on the board of the Community Consumer Discount Company of Clearfield (’74-’88) and on the Clearfield Municipal Authority for ten years (1990-2000).
Between 1970 and 2000, he was active in the Presbyterian Church, the Alliance Church, and then the Lighthouse Church. He was a teacher and sometimes a speaker. He also volunteered to visit and teach at the Quehanna Boot Camp for several years.
In his personal life, he married Mary Ann Paterson in 1951. Together they raised two children, Cathy and MacGregor. Jack was a family man, and he included his children in his activities. Sometimes he invited other families for sled riding outings or “paper chases” through the woods.
His interests included mountain biking, motorcycling on trials, cross country skiing, kayaking, birdwatching, photography, and reading about Scottish Highlanders and Western adventures. His favorite lifelong interest has been hiking, and at age 74, he and his best friend Bob Roessner, walked the entire 73 mile Quehanna Trail. He also loved sailing at Lake Glendale and he was an aggressive and successful sailboat racer. Jack competed in marksmanship and he reached the expert level. He maintained a civilian pilot’s license from 1957 to 1981.
Jack was a devoted family man, a faithful husband and a person of high moral values. He was also remarkable for his self-discipline.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his sister, Joan Robinson.
He is survived by his son, Alexander MacGregor Dufton, his daughter, Cathrina Dufton Zeiler and her husband Mark, his grandson, Owen Matthew Dufton Zeiler and two nephews; John Robinson and Steve Robinson.
Honoring Mr. Dufton’s wishes there will be no public visitation. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675, Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton, NH 03086 or Providing Emergency Aid to Troops Severely Wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq, P.O. Box 96440 Washington, DC 20090.
The Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc. of Clearfield are in charge of the arrangements.
To send online tributes go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com
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