He was born one of five children born to James Dewey and Viola Cress McDuffie. His deceased siblings were Willie Durant (WD) McDuffie who during WWII survived the “Bataan Death March” in the Philippines. Elline, and Glenn who was recognized as the famous “Kissing Sailor” in Times Square at end of WWII.

He graduated from J.W. Cannon High School in 1946 where he played on the basketball team. He also played on the Kannapolis YMCA travelling basketball team. He attended Pfeiffer College and Lenoir Rhyne College where he played basketball. Then, he transferred to Catawba College where he graduated.

He joined the U.S. Air Force after college and was stationed in Denver, CO where he met his future bride, Darlene, on Easter Sunday at the hotel where she was working. He obtained his masters degree in history at the University of Denver.

Jim and Darlene were married on the nationally televised “Bride and Groom” show which was broadcast live in those days. They moved to Charlotte in 1954 where Jim became a coach and teacher at Sedgefield Junior High.

In 1956 Jim decided to become a State Farm insurance agent and was still an active agent for 59 years when he passed. Jim and Darlene traveled to Spain, Rome, England, Germany, Hawaii and many other places over the years with family and their State Farm friends. He was an active member of the Dowd YMCA for 40+ years where he played basketball until he was 68 years old.

Jim was a member of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church since 1956. He served on the Charlotte city council in the early 70s before being elected to the NC State Senate where he served five terms in the late 70s and 80s. He was also able to visit the White House twice and meet with Presidents Reagan and Bush.

He was an avid lover of golf and basketball and was two time senior club champion at the former Kannapolis Country Club. He also had three “hole in ones” in his lifetime. He further competed in the senior games many times over the years and qualified for the nationals in golf twice winning a bronze and silver medal.

He was an original stockholder at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. He loved attending major sporting events including the Carolina Panthers Super Bowl, ACC basketball tournaments, NCAA championships, US Open Golf, and regular season games of the Carolina Panthers, UNC Charlotte, Davidson basketball where he was season ticket holder.

Jim loved life and lived it to its fullest. He was very proud of his family, loved the Lord, his friends, and his years with State Farm.