Richard Joy Duckworth, 63, passed away on December 25, 2022. Joy was born on April 21, 1959, in Seymour, Missouri to Lawrence and Alta (Wheeler) Duckworth. He was the baby of the family, the youngest of nine siblings.

Joy grew up in Seymour and spent some time living in Kansas City, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Mississippi before returning to Seymour to raise his youngest son and care for his aging parents. Joy got sober in 1992 and was proud to have more than 30 years of continuous sobriety. Along with his sobriety came a new approach to life, spending lots of time with his family, fishing, and working on never-ending projects around the house. He was also a dedicated sponsor and supported many others in their quest for sobriety.

Joy worked for many years in the meatpacking industry and also spent time in construction work. In his later years, he enjoyed cooking and baking, time out on Pomme de Terre Lake fishing, camping with friends and his dog, Zeena, visiting his grandchildren (who call him "Pepaw"), and going to St. Louis Cardinals games. He was an active member of Hillside Christian Church in Marshfield, MO, which was a source of community, celebration, and comfort for him. He was always willing to help out a neighbor or friend and was devoted to his church family. After his cancer diagnosis in February of 2022, he made the most of his remaining months. He lived his life to the fullest and found great solace in his faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Moletus Myers, Patsy Julian, Peggy Boring, Jo Ann Rambo, and his granddaughter, Eliza Taylor Duckworth.

Joy is survived by his three children: Michael David Duckworth and his wife, Brooke, of St. Louis, MO; Erika Strain and her husband, Chad, of Springfield, MO; Richard Eljay Duckworth and his wife, Sarah, of San Angelo, TX; his grandchildren: Caroline, Colette, and Genevieve Duckworth; and his beloved and loyal companion: his dog, Zeena.

Survivors also include his brothers, Junior (Rosalie) Duckworth, Larry (Wanda) Duckworth, and sisters Anita DeArmond, and Jalane (Ed) Childress, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hillside Christian Church or Pedal the Cause for Cancer Research.

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