Joseph Paul Dufour

Joseph Paul Dufour of Canton, GA passed away January 13, 2025, at Methodist North Hospital in Memphis, TN. A funeral service is planned for Friday, January 17,2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Scooba Community Church, 537 Kemper Street, Scooba, MS. Interment will follow in the Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Scooba, MS. Visitation will be held at the church from 1-3 p.m., Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Dufour Children Family Trust. Contributions can be mailed to: Dufour Children Family Trust, Attention: Alicia Everett, 39425 MS Hwy 14 W, Macon, MS. 39341. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. 

“Joey” was born in Opelousas, Louisiana on October 17, 1978, to Tommy and Johanna (Irby) Dufour, who instilled in him commitment to family, work ethic, and integrity. He grew up in the small town of Scooba, MS. and was an active member in the Scooba United Methodist Church. As a youth, his passions were playing sports, hunting, and being outdoors. He attended Kemper Academy, where he excelled at football and baseball. His education then led him to East Mississippi Community College and the role of college mascot, Leo the Lion. Upon completion of his associate’s degree in 1999, he immediately relocated to Auburn, AL. to attend a 12-week Fire Academy. His successful completion of the course led to a firefighter position at the Auburn Fire Department-Fire Station 1. While serving as a firefighter, he went on to obtain an MBA with an emphasis in public administration from Auburn University in 2002. Following college, he accepted a position with Ferguson Enterprises thus carrying him to Roswell, GA. A short time later he accepted a position with ADP as an account executive. After one more move, he would finally call Canton, GA., his home. He deeply loved this warm community and its patrons and chose to make this the place where he raised his family. He was relentlessly devoted to his children-Kate & Brendyn, his family, his friendships, youth coaching/mentoring, and his work at Night Vision Outdoor Lighting. Joey never put himself first but choose rather to engage and enrich others. He will always be remembered as an uplifter, selfless giver, humorous, compassionate, and tactful. His servant’s heart is like none other. 

He was preceded in death by his father Tommy Dufour of Louisville, Mississippi, and his grandparents Reggie Sr. & Catherine Dufour of Meridian, Mississippi; Dr. C.R. & Janice Irby of Scooba, Mississippi. He is survived by his children Kaitlyn Elizabeth and Brendyn Paul Dufour of Canton, Georgia; his mother Johanna Dufour (Bill McClannahan) of Scooba, Mississippi; his sister Alicia Everett (Drew) and brother Ben Dufour both of Macon, Mississippi; special friend Jennifer Guerin of Atlanta, Georgia and a hosts of aunts, uncles and cousins.