Carl Adam Duft

Carl Adam Duft was born on May 31, 1931 to Adam Carl Duft and Ella Hattie Duft (Exner) in Barrineau Park, Florida. He was their first born. Carl left this world on February 18, 2023 at the age of 91 1/2 in the Hermitage Care Center in Hermitage, Missouri near the home of his niece, Mary Turner. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Betty Goebel and Sally Thomas, his brother Andrew Duft and his nephew, Philip P. Thomas. He is survived by 5 nieces and 2 nephews and many great nieces and nephews, along with many cousins in Barrineau Park, Florida.

When Carl was in grade school the family left Florida and moved to Saint Louis, Missouri where he resided until he was 85. When Carl was 14 he accepted Christ as his Savior and joined the Baptist Church. In May of 1950, he graduated from Hadley High School and worked for 2 years at the Miss Hulling’s Cafeteria where he learned to bake her famous pies.

In February of 1952, Carl was drafted into the military and volunteered to join the USMC where he was trained to be an Airplane Electrician. He was stationed in Korea until his discharge on February 11, 1954. While there, he earned the National Defense Service Award, the Korean Service Medal with 2 stars and the United Nations Service Medal. He told stories of enjoying his R and R in Kyoto, Japan.

After returning home, he decided to enter the profession of photography so moved to San Bernardino, California for 2 years. Upon returning to Saint Louis, Carl worked 35 years for Todd Studios, a commercial photography company in the Old International Shoe Building on Washington Avenue, which is now the City Museum.

Carl lived with his mother on Chippewa Street for many years and looked after his father until each of them passed away. He retired in 1993 at the age of 62 to take care of his brother until he passed away as well in 1996.

In his retirement Carl enjoyed his time between visiting relatives in Barrineau Park, Florida every October, spending holidays and fishing at Lake Pomme de Terre, Missouri, and taking cruises to the East, West and South Caribbean islands with his sister Sally and niece & husband, Paul and Mary Turner. One of his favorite activities was being a member of Shaw’s Garden, taking pictures during all the different seasons and the events at the garden.

In 2016, Carl fell in Schnucks grocery store and broke his arm. He had to leave Saint Louis for Hermitage, MIssouri so he could be near family for his recuperation. In Hermitage, Carl enjoyed the activities, the friends he made, and all that pampered him. He felt that they were his family. Carl had a vivid imagination and loved to make people laugh (he was an actor) and he was always proud to say he was a United States Marine; Sempre Fi was very important to him. In keeping with his wishes, Carl will go back to Saint Louis to be buried with Full Military Honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery alongside his fellow veterans.

He was loved by all that knew him and will be missed by many. Rest in Peace Uncle Carl.

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