Ernest Duff
Ernest Duff (June 2, 1931 - May 27, 2016) was an American businessman, lawyer and former bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Ernest Ray Duff | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ernest Ray Duff June 2, 1931 |
| Died | May 27, 2016 Hattiesburg, Mississippi, US |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Columbia High School University of Mississippi |
| Occupation | Attorney and Businessman |
| Known for | Founder, Southern Tire Mart and Duff Capital Investors |
| Spouse(s) | Bobbie Baggett Duff |
| Children | 4, including Thomas Duff and James Duff |
He was the founder of Southern Tire Mart, a large independent commercial tire dealership in North America.[1]
Early life
Ernest Ray Duff was born June 2, 1931, in Covington County, Mississippi, the youngest of five children of Carl Melton and Lela May Harvey Duff.[1][2][3] His father was a building contractor.[4] His parents were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4]
Duff was educated at Columbia High School, where he was president of the student body, and earned a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. While attending law school at Ole Miss he served again as President of the student body and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. His Hall of Fame picture can be still be found at the Lyceum of the university.[1]
Career
In 1973, Duff founded Southern Tire Mart.[1] Duff later founded Duff Capital Investors, the second largest business in Mississippi, which owns twelve companies, with over 10,000 employees and an annual turnover of $2.2 billion.[2]
Personal life
He was married to Bobbie Lou Baggett Duff, and they had three sons, Thomas Milton, James Ernest and Stephen Ray, and one daughter, Jane Elizabeth Duff Thomley, all of who live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[3]
He was a former Bishop and member of the High Priest Quorum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2]
He died on May 27, 2016 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.[1][5][2] He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, Mississippi.[2]
References
- "Southern Tire Mart founder Ernest Duff dies". Tire Business. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- "Obituary: Ernest R. Duff". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- Hahn, Tina (2 June 2018). "Duffs Honor Late Father with Major Gift". University of Mississippi News. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- "C. M. Duffs Celebrate Golden Wedding Day". Columbia-Progress. Columbia, Mississippi. February 12, 1970. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved November 13, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern Tire Mart Founder Ernest Duff Has Died". Modern Tire Dealer. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2018.