HINES – Joe Steven Duff, 71, formerly of John Day, died Oct. 28 at his home in Hines. A memorial service was held on Nov. 15 at the Caldwell Senior Citizen Center in Caldwell, Idaho.

Mr. Duff was born Aug. 4, 1943, in Ontario, the eldest son of Audrey and Evelyn Duff.

He grew up primarily in Nampa, Idaho, where he enjoyed participating in a wide array of activities such as: agriculture, rodeo, music, sports and hunting. He attended Nampa High School, where he excelled in football and rodeo.

After graduating in 1961, he attended Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario and Utah State, where he continued to enjoy participating in football and rodeo.

In 1964, he met Rosalie Looney, whom he married on Aug. 7, 1965.

He lived and worked in John Day when he was young, and in the early years of their marriage.

Throughout his life, he worked in various agricultural fields, while driving short- and long-haul semi-trucks. He continued to drive truck until his retirement from AGL in 2013. When requested, he continued to drive truck for various companies in the Burns-Hines area, and enjoyed watching football and rodeo on TV.

He was considered a “man’s man”: big, strong, hard-working and always quick to help others in need – a cowboy and a trucker blessed with a joking, easy personality. Morning coffee with “the guys” was a daily ritual, but his most precious moments were those spent with family, especially his grandchildren, to whom he was “Papa.”

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Rosalie; sons, Rick of Boise, Idaho, Billy of Burns, and Mike (Carissa) of Kuna, Idaho; daughter, Bonnie (Robert) of Fruitland, Idaho; 11 grandchildren, Emylee, Tila, Austin, Devon, Danielle, Carl, Christian, Josh, Bryson, Keira and Brianna; and brothers, Greg (Kathy) of Salem and Phil (Glena) of Caldwell.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carla Duff.