By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Greg Duffy, a longtime Piedmont resident and school board vice president has died, a family member said.
In 2021 Duffy was honored as a distinguished Southeastern Oklahoma State University alum.
His daughter Lacey Duffy said he died Friday. A service is being planned for Friday, Dec. 15.
A statement from the Piedmont School Board of Education reads:
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of long-time Piedmont resident and school board member Greg Duffy. Mr. Duffy peacefully passed away surrounded by family after battling health issues over the last several months.
We are appreciative of the service Mr. Duffy gave to the school district over the last five and a half years. Mr. Duffy served the public for nearly twenty years in his professional life as an employee of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.
Please keep the Duffy family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Duffy, who filed unopposed for the five-year school board seat in April, served as the Ward 4 Piedmont board member and the board’s vice president.
Piedmont Public Schools Superintendent Drew Eichelberger released a statement as well.
“Our Wildcat Family is deeply saddened by the loss of school board member, Greg Duffy,” the superintendent’s statement reads.
“Greg was an exceptional advocate for our school district. He contributed countless hours of voluntary service to our school system while representing the citizens of the Piedmont community. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and family,” Eichelberger’s statement reads.
Duffy was recognized for his contributions to the State of Oklahoma’s conservation efforts. Duffy is a former executive director of the Oklahoma Wildlife Department.
“I am truly honored to receive this award. However, I consider it a privilege to have spent my career serving the constituents of the State of Oklahoma, and I certainly credit any successes to the department employees and outdoor enthusiasts for whom I served,” Duffy told The Piedmont-Surrey Gazette in 2021.
Duffy, who graduated in 1973, served as wildlife director for 16 years before he retired in 2009.
Duffy had a 38-year career with the department, combining his biological and management training.
Roger Pugh, former Piedmont-Surrey Gazette managing editor reacted to Duffy’s passing in a statement.
“Greg was not only a great asset to Piedmont in so many ways, he was also a treasured asset to Oklahoma and the nation through his work and advocacy to preserve and balance our fish and wildlife resources, and their habitat to benefit us all.”
Pugh wrote, “As a school board member, he contributed much to making our schools the outstanding resource they are today for our youth and community. He was an advocate, and in on the ground floor to help Piedmont schools move forward to a much higher level in terms of quality of education and improved facilities. He acted on his school board responsibilities with a calm, well-thought, down-to-earth and common-sense approach. Never was he a rubber stamp for any group, administrator or narrow special interest. For that quality alone, I can admire him.”
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