To a team of warriors left behind:

Although broken, my heart is full. The sincere and authentic, humble and affectionate sentiments you all leave here are a salve to my soul. Through your words and memories I am able to layer together a wholistic perception of this man, this coach, this person who was my brother.

Knowing him through the eyes of players, friends, colleagues, parents, and students shows me a facet of his identity that I would not see alone. This is what is most meaningful about the concept of team. I think this is why he devoted his life to building up players, and creating cohesive teams that function like family.

Coach McDuffey knew that we can't see all angles alone, we can't know all things alone, we can't be our best selves alone, we can't acheive dreams alone. The team, and the character of the team, is what gets us to the mountain top, what makes us into the best versions of ourselves, and gives us the courage and motivation we need to push through and fight and never give up.

Joel, you had a warriors heart and you spent your life teaching others how to walk in those warrior shoes. We love you so much (and, yes, we love your shoes too).

Coach Joel McDuffey ended his life on March 29, 2022 at the age of 37. Joel was born in Gravette, Arkansas on January 3rd, 1985 and had resided in Poplar Bluff, Missouri since 2019. He is survived by his father Steve, mother Sharon, and three sisters Jackie, Julie, and Rachael; in addition to countless friends, colleagues, mentors, students, and athletes whom he considered an extended family.

Joel earned a Bachelors in K-12 Education at MSSU and a Masters of Athletics/Activities Administration at William Woods University. Joel, a mentor at his core, coached and taught at various Missouri schools and volunteered his time and skills for numerous sports programs throughout the years.

Joel initially served as assistant coach for Poplar Bluff Senior High School varsity softball and baseball, varsity boys basketball, and taught health class. At Poplar Bluff Jr. High Joel served as assistant boys basketball coach. In his second year at Poplar Bluff, as head softball coach, he led his athletes to win a district title; the fifth since 2005. In his first year as Sheldon High school head coach, Joel inspired another district title win for boys varsity basketball; the school’s first ever.

Joel also coached girls varsity basketball at McDonald County High School, his own alma mater; varsity boys and girls basketball at Northeast Vernon County, head varsity softball and assistant varsity baseball at NEVC, jr. high and senior high track, and taught K-12 physical education at NEVC.

Joel’s aspirational vision was to coach at the college basketball level. His life’s central focus was coaching and mentoring; not for the love of the sport alone, but for the cultivation of the character of young people towards their greater potential and the impact on the community as a whole. His vision was for improving players and people, building a culture of cohesion and harmony through sports, and instilling values and a legacy of integrity into the generations of our future society. He was a natural leader and coaching was his gift to the world.

An in-person Celebration of Life service will be held at a yet TBD date. Please sign-up with your contact information at the link below to be notified of future event details.

Celebration of Life event invitation page at www.coachjoelmcduffey.com

In lieu of a traditional memorial visitation and service, there will be an online tribute page to honor Coach Joel’s memory. Please join us there and add your pictures and messages to his tribute page.

https://hello.dubsado.com:443/public/form/view/625c49544b7abf6c161b1e2f

Memorial Keepers (1)

Mary Jane Martinez