John McDuffy

John McDuffy, 71, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, formerly of Rock Island, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 2, at People’s Missionary Baptist Church, 553 23rd Street, Rock Island, with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial is in Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be made to the family.

John was born June 6, 1953, in Louisville, Mississippi, the son of Joseph and Catherine “Willie Lee” Hickman McDuffy. He graduated from Rock Island High School where he wrestled and played football, and went on to play college football in Wisconsin. He was a talented running back known by the nickname, “Top Dog.”.

He married Kimberly (Garth) Reese in June of 2018. Previously, he had been married to Nilea Tonzel and had been with Patricia Anders, the mother of his three children, for many years. He worked for Case IH until they closed their doors. He later worked for IBP and Sodexo at St. Ambrose University, where he got to show off his skills as chef.

John was an active member of People’s Missionary Baptist Church, serving in many capacities including Deacon and also as a cook for the Men’s Missionary. He was always smiling, known to say “Everybody love me!”. He enjoyed being on his motorcycle, fishing and hunting, and sports of all kinds. Above all else, family was the most important thing to John, especially his beloved children and grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife, Kim of Brooklyn Center; two daughters, Gaye McDuffy and Patricia McDuffy, both of Rock Island; step-children, Lynn Winters, Julian Anders, and Jordan Nicholson, and Kevin, Keilan, Kyle, Danielle, and Nicole Garth, 16 grandchildren; siblings, Debra McDuffie and Tyrone (Pam) Beck, both of Rock Island; Penelope Scott, who was like a sister to John; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan McDuffy; grandson, DeShawn Tatum; and siblings, Bobby, Fred, Rose, Leona and Ora. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Lee and Joe McDuffy.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.