| Notes |
- 1930 Federal Census of La Rose, Marshall County, Illinois (April 2, 1930)
Harold R. Bass - 36 - Male - MO-MO-MO - Head - Laborer Grain and Lumber Company
Edna - 27 - Female - IL-IL-GM - Wife
Russell - 6 - Male - IL-MO-IL - Son
Henry - 6 - Male - IL-MO-IL - Son
Buford - 4-11/12 - Male - IL-MO-IL - Son
(Married at 28 and 19)
The Peoria Journal Star
Illinois
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Hall of Fame Coach, Redbirds Icon Dies at 81
ISUâ??s winningest baseball coach Buford â??Duffyâ?? Bass won 1969 national title
Buford "Duffy" Bass, who led the Illinois State baseball program to the NCAA College Division National Championship in 1969, died Wednesday at the age of 81. Bass, whose career record of 713-457-18 made him the winningest baseball coach in Redbirds history, coached at ISU from 1964-1988. Since 1979 he also served on the McLean County Board. Bass also served as general manager of the Twin City Stars of the Central Illinois Collegiate League. "Duffy was the epitome of someone who really did give back," said Gary Sullivan, who played for Bass at Illinois State. "He had a tremendous loyalty to ISU. He came from that generation that came out (of World War II) and made it for themselves and realized that the community was important." Bass was a catcher for Illinois State from 1946-50 after serving in the United States Navy. Bass taught and coached at Normal's University High School from 1950-1962 when he took time off to complete his doctorate at Louisiana State. He took over the Redbirds baseball program in 1964 and led it into the first of five straight College Division, now known as Division II, appearances in 1966. Current ISU coach Jim Brownlee played on those teams. "Coach Bass was a mentor to me both personally and professionally," Brownlee said in a statement. He was also responsible for getting me into coaching as an assistant with him in 1976 and also as a coach in the CICL. He meant a lot to me and my entire family, and he will be missed." Bass was elected to the Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1973. He also is a member of the Illinois Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Bass is survived by his wife Helen and three children, Linda, Jim and Lori. "Our sympathies are with the Bass family," ISU athletics director Sheaon Zenger said. "Not only was Duffy a coaching icon at Illinois State, but all around collegiate baseball. His 700-plus victories and the national championship in 1969 speak for themselves. It's never a good day when you lose a member of the Redbird family and we are saddened by the news." Kevin Capie can be reached at 686-3214 or kcapie@pjstar.com.
The Pantagraph, Blommington, Illinois, Friday, March 16, 2007
Buford ?Duffy? Bass
NORMAL - Buford H. "Duffy" Bass, 81, Normal, died at 2:47 a.m. Wednesday (March 14, 2007) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.
His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Normal, with the Rev. Dale Beck officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday prior to the funeral at the church. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or the Duffy Bass Endowed Scholarship at ISU. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born Jan. 11, 1926, at Toluca, a son of Harry and Edna Camp Bass. He married Helen E. Matone on Aug. 15, 1948, at Wilmington. She survives.
Also surviving are his children, Linda E. Bass, Brandon, Fla.; James D. (Susan) Bass, Towanda; and Lori Jo Weidig, Normal; three grandchildren, Andrew James Bass, Christine Elizabeth Bass and Nathaniel Duffy Bass; a brother, Russell (Nellie) Bass, Morton; and a sister, Phyllis (Jerry) Prunty, Lawrenceville, Ga.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Roger and Henry Bass.
Duffy received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Illinois State University and his doctorate in education in 1964 from Louisiana State University.
He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Normal. Among his many contributions to the community were a 28-year membership with the McLean County Board, where he served as chairman of the transportation committee, a member of the Sister Cities committee, founder of the Twin City Stars of the Central Illinois Collegiate League, a member of the Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and a volunteer for many civic activities and organizations.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the Carl S. Martin Post 635 American Legion in Normal.
Duffy taught at Metcalf Grade School and University High School before teaching and coaching at ISU for 25 years and serving as the head baseball coach. He was the most winning coach in Illinois State University athletics history with a career record of 713-457-18. His 1969 team won the NCAA College Division National Championship.
Duffy was an informed sports fan and therefore supported ISU athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He also loved golf and had two holes-in-one in his golfing career.
Duffy loved his job so much it was as if he never worked a day in his life. A great friend to everyone, Duffy was one of a kind. He was a great husband to his wonderful wife, Helen, and a family man who loved his children and grandchildren. Duffy will remain in our hearts forever.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1926 - 2007 (81 years)