James C. Duzan

James (Jim) C. Duzan, age 89, formerly of Sedalia, MO, passed away September 3, 2019, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, N.C. after a period of declining health.

He was born February 11, 1930, in Kansas, IL, to Otha C. and L. Fern (Whisnand) Duzan.

Jim graduated from Kansas Community High School in 1948, where he lettered in six-man football and band. After farming for three years, he joined the Air Force in 1951 and became an air traffic controller, jet fighter pilot and pilot instructor, serving in Korea, Germany and Vietnam. He retired as a Major in 1971 from Whiteman AFB in Sedalia.

After retirement he was in real estate and owned, co-owned and operated four businesses in Pettis County, including the first Quick Lube in Sedalia. He farmed and raised Chianina cattle. He was a past Master of Sedalia Lodge 236 and served as District Deputy Grand Master, was a 33 degree Scottish Rite Mason, past president and secretary of Sedalia Scottish Rite Club and Sedalia Shrine Club, and was a past outstanding Shriner. He was past president of Sedalia Knife and Fork Club.

His hobbies were travel, fishing, gardening and making peanut brittle. He obtained two degrees from SFCC in agriculture. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Sedalia.

In 1969, he married Marilyn Emory of Sedalia, who preceded him in death in 2007. Also preceding him in death are his son, Kevin Duzan in 2015; stepson, Steve Emory in 2017; four brothers, Marvin, Erwin, Myron and Lindy; and one sister, Nila.

He is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Nantz (Brent), of Statesville, N.C.; daughter-in-law, Melissa Duzan, of Hamptonville, N.C.; grandsons, Jake Duzan (Alisha) and Jeremy Duzan; two great-grandchildren, Tinley and Levi Duzan; step-daughter-in-law, Kathy Emory; one step-granddaughter; and two step-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at a later date.

Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Heckart Funeral Home.