Albert G. Duff Sr.

September  26th, 1935 December  30th, 2024
Albert G. Duff Sr.

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Obituary

A
lbert “Al” G. Duff, Sr. was born on September 26, 1935, in Nashville, Tennessee, and peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord on December 30, 2024, at the age of 89. He was the fourth of six children born to John H. and Genevieve Duff. Al grew up in the church, dedicated his life to the Lord and was baptized at an early age. He received his education in the Nashville Public School system and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Tennessee State University (TSU), even after excelling as a pitcher on the TSU Tigers Baseball Team, being a member of the Air Force ROTC, and enjoying playing basketball often as point guard.

After graduating in 1957, Al married his beloved sweetheart, Mexie Bowman, and soon accepted a position at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, California. In 1960, he began working at the U.S. Naval Civil Engineering Lab (NCEL) in Port Hueneme, California before starting his 34-year career in 1961 with the Ventura County Public Works Agency. While specializing in soils and hydraulics he worked in various capacities – such as flood control, land development, design, and construction of other major public facilities throughout the County, including the Ronald Reagan Library. Al joined the local Chapter of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1962 and served as an Executive Board Member, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the Labor and Industry Committee, and as Vice President.

In 1971, the NAACP led the charge in the case of Juan Soria vs. the Board of Education, and Mr. Duff played a key role in the outcome of a desegregation order which created a successful federally funded tutoring program in the Oxnard School District, known as the “Community Service Center.” As a Life Member, in 2012, he was presented the NAACP Diamond Award which recognized 50 plus years of dedicated service to the organization and community at large.

In 1991, he was one of the principal project engineers providing construction oversight for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and was asked to attend the “Invitation Only” Grand Opening where he was excited to see all five living United States Presidents in attendance. Concurrently, from 1989 until its completion in 1991, Al Duff Sr. volunteered his expertise to serve as the dedicated Project Engineer for the entire new construction effort of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Oxnard. He was a very active 35+ year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Psi Xi Chapter and in 2002 received an Outstanding Service Award at the 57th Annual 12th District Meeting held in Oxnard, CA. In 2004, Mr. Duff received the Citizen of the Year Award from the 12th District of the fraternity and later that same year, he was awarded for his excellent leadership as Basileus (President) of Psi Xi Chapter.

In 2003, Al Duff was at the forefront of making history in Oxnard, spearheading the establishment of a new school, dedicated and named in honor of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall – the only school in Ventura County named in honor of an African American. Furthermore, Mr. Duff was Chairman of the Oxnard School Construction Oversight Committee for Thurgood Marshall Elementary School which received an award from the State of California for its outstanding architecture.

Also, in 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives honored local organizations and individuals for their contributions to civic education. Mr. Duff was one of the recipients of this honor on behalf of the Board of Directors of Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU). A decade later in 2013, VCCU dedicated their New Branch in Port Hueneme, CA to Mr. Albert Duff, Sr.

In 2005, he was selected to receive the prestigious Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service. In addition to national winners, the Jefferson Award Institute honors ordinary individuals of local communities throughout the nation who do extraordinary things and have unselfishly served their communities.

At home, Al Duff Sr. was the epitome of a devoted family man—a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. Over the course of 67 years of marital happiness, Al and Mexie raised a wonderful family: Marcia, Monica, Albert Jr., Erica, and Eric (now in Heaven), each of whom has led a life of great accomplishment. In the early years of family life, Al found joy in simple pleasures—grilling steaks for Sunday dinners, attending Dodger games, and driving cross-country to visit relatives in Nashville, TN. He cherished listening to classic jazz on his reel-to-reel, relaxing by swimming in the backyard pool, and unwinding in the jacuzzi. Al was also meticulous in caring for the home, lawn, and cars, while embracing the outdoors through camping and fishing trips. Family road trips to iconic U.S. National Parks were always a highlight, but perhaps most of all, Al took great pride in gathering the family together for Sunday morning church service.

Blessed over the years with boundless energy, Al Duff Sr. continually expressed his heart of service to the community, and unto the Lord, as uniquely shown by his past active involvements at Bethel A.M.E. Church for well over 50 years. In 2017, Bethel A.M.E. Church, under the Pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr. Clyde Oden, dedicated and named the Multipurpose Center after Mr. Albert “Al” G. Duff, Sr. Over the years, the culmination of his engaging involvement was: in community organizations, on several advisory committees and boards, including the VCCU of which he continuously served on the Loan Committee followed by his election to the Board of Directors totaling over 50 years on the VCCU Board, on the Oxnard Planning Commission for 29 years, on several school district advisory committees and finally as a member of the Oxnard School District Board of Trustees for over 10 years.

Even with Al’s deep involvement in his community, he made time for activities he loved. From the late 60s to 70s he was a dedicated member of a bowling team, served as a local Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, and was one of the founding members of the Pro Duffers West Golf Club with a plethora of winning trophies as a testament of his golfing prowess.

Mr. Al Duff Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, John H. and Genevieve Duff; his siblings, Lauren Duff, Rudy Duff, Leroy Duff, and Katherine Bowers; and his beloved son, Eric Duff. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted loving wife, Mexie; his children Marcia Dixon (Reggie), Monica Johnson (Dwayne), Albert Duff Jr., and Erica Duff; his grandchildren Dwayne Johnson, Jr., Imani Dixon, Reggie Dixon, Jr., Daylin Johnson, Albert Duff III, Jordon Dixon, Dawnae Dixon, and Aniah Dixon; his sisters Gwendolyn Fowlkes and Clara Sales; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other loved ones.

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January 28, 2025
I’m very sorry to hear about your father's passing. Your obituary beautifully reflects the wonderful person he was and the positive impact he had on so many lives. He will be missed. Sending love to the Duff family, and I hope you find peace during this difficult
time.
The Winbush family,
Adrienne Winbush Swann
Adrienne Winbush Swann
January 24, 2025
Celebrating the life of a remarkably beautiful spirit with thoughts of love and remembrance ~~~
The Hoffman Family (Family of Joyce Hoffman Duff, Chicago, Illinois)
Carole Ako-Nai Knight
January 24, 2025
This beautifully rich and robust tribute is quite extraordinary; and heralds the ‘selfless joy’ of a great man and a life well-lived in loving service to God, family and community. We only knew Mr. Duff through his son, Albert Jr. but my husband and I felt like family from afar—as we have watched this exceptional couple live joyfully, gracefully, and lovingly in their dedication to the Lord, one another, and many others. So we’re sending heart-felt prayers to Mom Mexie, Albert Jr., Marcia, and all the family in this sorrowful hour. May the God of All Comfort keep you wrapped in His Big Arms of continuous care. We love you dearly!

William & Yolanda Powell Southern Maryland
Dr. Yolanda Powell
January 19, 2025
This obituary truly captures the essence of the man of God my Uncle was. He generously gave of his time and talents, leaving a lasting impact on all that knew him. He will truly be missed , but we can rest assured that he is in a better place. To my family, I love you all, and may God grant us peace during this time of sorrow.🙏🏽❤️
Donna Gutnrie
January 19, 2025
I did not have the pleasure of personally knowing Mr. Duff, however after reading this beautifully written obituary, I can say that he was truly a gift to us and has made an indelible mark on Ventura County throughout his life. I am both grateful and impressed. I send my condolences to all the family and especially those I’ve had the privilege to know and love ❤️ May God’s grace, peace, love and mercy comfort you.
Alejandra Gentry

Service


Please join us to pay a last tribute.
We will come together to remember and pay tribute to the wonderful person. While we mourn the loss of our dear, we also aim to cherish the moments shared and the joy brought into our lives. Your presence would mean a great deal to us during this time of remembrance and reflection.
Location
Bethel A.M.E. Church
855 South F. Street,
Oxnard, CA 93030
Date/time
Friday, January 24, 2025
Viewing- 10:00am
Homegoing Service- 11:00am
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In honor of our beloved Albert G. Duff Sr., we invite you to contribute to the Gold Coast Charities, Inc. scholarship Fund (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. nonprofit) a fund that was near and dear to Al's heart. Your generous donation will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of Al by supporting a meaningful cause.
Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Al embodied throughout his life.

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