Wendell “Jack” Duxbury, 78, of Huron, died Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, at Prairie View Healthcare  Community in Woonsocket.
Graveside Services were at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31, at the Wessington Cemetery. Memorial Services followed those services at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Huron. Visitation was 5-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 30 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron.
Jack was born to Joy and Lois (McNeil) Duxbury near Wessington on Feb. 11, 1938. Named Wendell at birth, his older brother, Bob, declared to their parents that he was going to call the baby Jack, and he was Jack from that moment on. He grew up on the family farm near Wessington with his siblings, and enjoyed many 4-H activities.
Jack graduated from Wessington High School in 1956 and continued his schooling at South Dakota State College, where he earned a degree in Animal Science. His first job was a Field Man for the SD Hereford Association, and he judged livestock competitions across the state for many years.
Jack married Shirley Orr on June 15, 1958, and they returned to the farm near Wessington and worked with his father and brother.
He was active in church, township boards and Masons. Jack also served on the Wessington School Board for many years, and Jack and Shirley supported all the school activities throughout their children’s school years.
In 1985, they moved to Tripp, where Jack became the Hutchinson County Agriculture Extension Agent. After two years, they moved to Madison to serve Lake County in the same capacity. When Jack became the supervisor for the Southeast District, they moved to Mitchell, where he finished his career and retired in 2002. The couple moved to Huron in 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, Paul (Chris) of Wessington, and Doug of Huron; daughter, Barb (Royce) Meritt of Harrisburg; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; two sisters, Joyce (Gene) Rowen of Waconia, Minn., and Jean (John) Lakner of Rockwell, Texas; sister-in-law, Rose Ann Duxbury of Wessington; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert “Bob,” in June 2016.