Benjamin Morrison Duffey

Published 3:09 pm Tuesday, July 25, 2023

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MURRELL’S INLET, South Carolina – On July 15, 2023, Benjamin Morrison Duffey, 66, of Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina, passed away peacefully in his home with his beloved wife, DeAna by his side. Benjamin (or “Jamey” as we called him, affectionately) was born on May 13, 1957 to Benjamin and Margaret Duffey in Richmond, Virginia. He loved to recall his early years enjoying the great outdoors, fly-fishing with his father, Ben and free ranging with his brother, Peter.

Upon graduating Old Dominion University with a degree in sociology he went on to serve his country as a fighter pilot. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Jamey received an honorable medical discharge and developed a lifelong fascination with medicine. He went on to attain his MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School and complete his residency in emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins Shock Trauma Hospital in Baltimore. Jamey happily moved to Myrtle Beach to start his career as an E.R. doctor at Grand Strand Hospital, but firmly established himself as a permanent member of the community after opening Litchfield Medical Center in 1999.

Jamey and DeAna married in 2009 and together they raised DeAna’s children, Savannah and Dylan, instilling in them his love of medicine and aviation. After serving his community as a primary care doctor for 20 years, Jamey retired. He loved to be free, with his favorite places being the sky and the open water. As such, he spent his well-deserved time off doing the things that brought him the most comfort and joy: boating, flying, watching movies, fixing anything he saw that was broken and being a loving and attentive husband, son, brother, stepfather and grandfather.

Jamey’s cup was overflowing with knowledge and while he knew he was the smartest man in the room, he delighted in both sharing knowledge and gaining it from others. He had a personality outmatched in size only by his enormous heart. He was a lover of life who never left a creature in need, whether it was human or animal. He will be missed dearly and remembered always. Jamey is survived by his father, Benjamin Rosebro Duffey and stepmother, Suzanne Duffey; brother, Peter Duffey and sister, Mary Kerr; his wife, DeAna Duffey; two stepchildren, Savannah Nayel and Matthew Dylan Keels and three grandchildren Lily, Abraham and Blair. He is predeceased by his mother, Margaret Sinclair Duffey. A celebration of Jamey’s life will be held 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21 at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church, 4182 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 20 at Burroughs Funeral Home, 3558 Old Kings Hwy., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, SC (843-651-1440) is assisting the family.