Ralph Hunter Daffin, Jr. 78, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2019 in Marianna, Florida. He was born in Marianna on January 24, 1941 to Ralph Hunter Daffin, Sr. and Louise McFarlin Daffin.
Mr. Daffin graduated from Marianna High School in 1959, then attended Emory University and the University of Florida where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He served as a Captain in the Army from 1965 – 1969 and was stationed at Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, as well as Seoul, Korea. He was President of Daffin Foodservice in Marianna for more than 3 decades, and was a member of the Rotary Club and the First Presbyterian Church, in addition to serving on the board of directors at the First Bank and SouthTrust Bank in Marianna.
In addition to overseeing the family’s business, Mr. Daffin was and entrepreneur, investing and working in real estate, farming and banking. He was also an avid fisherman and boater, and enjoyed deep sea fishing off the Florida panhandle coast as well as fresh water fishing. He provided his children and grandchildren with wonderful memories doing so alongside him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Hunter Daffin, Sr.
He is survived by his wife Lucretia Daffin; his mother, Louise McFarlin Daffin (Bud); and his children, Katherine Daffin Smith (Tom) of Atlanta, GA; Ralph Hunter Daffin, III (Patrick) of Orlando, FL; Lee McFarlin Daffin of Marianna, FL; and Brent Bedini of Marianna, FL. In addition, sister, Louise Daffin Wilkinson (Tom) of Marianna, FL; brother John McFarlin Daffin (Louise) of Warwick, GA; and grandchildren Grace Daffin of Marianna, FL; Caroline, Elizabeth and Clayton Smith of Atlanta, GA; Sarah, Natalie and Hunter Bedini of Marianna, FL; several nieces and nephews and former spouse Sandra Peacock Daffin.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and caregivers at the Signature Healthcare Courtyard and Emerald Coast Hospice of Marianna, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Marianna, at 2898 Jefferson Street, Marianna, FL 32446
Marianna Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy may be submitted online at www.mariannachapelfh.com.
