Jeffrey Lane McDiffett, 75, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 25, 2026. He was an amazing father, “Papa,” brother, friend, and neighbor. He will be deeply missed.
Jeff was born in Junction City, Kansas on May 29, 1951 to Kenneth and Virginia McDiffett of Alta Vista. He graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1969 where he was a letterman on the men’s basketball team. Following graduation, Jeff joined the National Guard and attended Kansas State University where he earned a degree in education while working in construction.
After graduation he became a beloved teacher in Auburn-Washburn, USD 437 and put his love of basketball into action, coaching girls’ basketball for many years.
Jeff was a dedicated father and known to his grandchildren as “Papa.” He adored his grandkids and never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. He was always quick with a smart one-liner that made everyone laugh; making sure to pass down the smart Mc-Diffett sense of humor. He was incredibly generous in giving his time, endless energy, and expertise in all things carpentry, drywall, roofing, and fencing related and he did so with joy and humor that made hours of hard work enjoyable.
Jeff moved to a quiet cul-de-sac in Lawrence in 2012, where he regularly lent a hand, mowed a yard or shoveled snow for those less able. “Mr. Jeff” as he was known to the kids in the neighborhood, loved sitting on his front porch enjoying a cup of coffee, listening to the birds sing, and spending time “squirrel whispering” in his backyard.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Cindy McDiffett and Shelley Lee. He is survived by his brothers Tim McDiffett, Kelly McDiffett, his daughters Jessica Hull, and Erica McDiffett, and grandchildren Jordan Brown, Lilias Hull, Jasper Mumford, Alice Hull, and Ruby Hull.
Services will be held in Council Grove, KS on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 at the Council Grove First Congregational United Church of Christ. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., the funeral will begin at 11 a.m. and a lunch reception will follow.
Memorial donations may be made to KU Endowment in memory of Jeff McDiffett to support the Comprehensive MS Center (Fund #10283) or the MS Achievement Center (Fund #10125) at P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044 or online at www.kuendowment.org.