HAMLET — Arthur Thomas “Big Mac” McDuffie, 88, of County Home Road Hamlet, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at his home.
He was born June 20, 1934, in Richmond County, a son of the late Henry Riggan and Helen McDonald McDuffie.
Mr. McDuffie was a lifelong member of Marks Creek Presbyterian Church, serving as a youth leader in past years. He graduated from Hamlet High School Class of 1953 and was on the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams. After high school he boxed in the heavyweight division of Golden Gloves.
Arthur worked as a carman for CSX railroad where he also served as a cook on the Wrecker and retired in 1996. In addition to working for CSX, he was the owner and operator of Mac’s Pump and Well Service.
Mr. McDuffie was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed sharing in these activities with his children and later in life his grandchildren. Even as his health began to fail, Arthur continued to enjoy watching televised sports of all kinds. He enjoyed and cherished spending time with his great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 at the Marks Creek Presbyterian Church cemetery with the Rev. Ken Goins officiating.
Left to cherish Arthur’s memories are his wife of 63 years, Barbara Waters McDuffie; his son, Don McDuffie and wife Lorie of Whispering Pines; his daughters, Debbie McDuffie Franklin and Lynne McDuffie Cox and husband Michael, all of Hamlet; his grandchildren, Mead Franklin (Yessi), Meredith Cox McDonald (Jacob), Matthew McDuffie (Natasha), Brent Franklin, Allen Cox (Taylor), and Justin McDuffie; his great-grandchildren Mallory, Leamon, Dorothy McDonald, and Joy Franklin; his siblings, James Vann McDuffie, Carole McDuffie Venable and Juanita McDuffie Owensby (Jim), all of Hamlet; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. McDuffie was preceded in death by his brothers, Henry Riggan McDuffie Jr. “Sonny” and Clem Donald McDuffie; and his son-in-law, Tim Franklin.
Family will greet family and friends Thursday following the graveside service and other times at the home.
Memorials may be made to Marks Creek Presbyterian Church, c/o Ginger Seymour, 150 Two Sisters Lane Rockingham, NC 28379; or to Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N US Highway 1, Rockingham, NC 28379; or Hamlet Rescue Squad, 302 Champlain St., Hamlet, NC 28345.
Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the McDuffie family. Online condolences may be sent to watson-kingfuneralhome.com.
