Attorney John Duvall dies in Florida

Retired attorney John A. Duvall, who spent much of his life in Potter County, died on Tuesday in Florida. An obituary will appear in a future edition.

Among survivors are his wife, Ruth, and four daughters.

A colorful character with a strong sense of humor, Duvall lived in Galeton and Coudersport during a long law career in Potter County. He unsuccessfully ran for judge of the Potter County Court of Common Pleas in the 1977 election.

Among the younger partners who began their local careers as members of Duvall's Coudersport law firm and remained in the community were Jeff Leber, Dan Milliard and David Acker. His daughter, Martha Duvall, served for a time as Potter County District Attorney.

Duvall's courtroom oratory often blended homespun humor and Will Rogers-style wisdom with appeals to common sense. A typical Duvall summation to the jury might be, "The accused's conduct was reprehensible, inexcusable and completely raspidarious!" -- the latter term a clever figment of his active imagination.

Duvall was active in Freemasonry and was an avid car-racing fan. He could always be counted on to liven a social setting.

In his later years, he spent time in the Chautauqua, N.Y., and Bradenton, Fla., areas. He and Ruth enjoyed attending Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games at McKechnie Field in Bradenton and traveling to visit their children.

Duvall had been in declining health for several months, most recently battling advanced prostate cancer.