Duane was born in Holbrook, AZ on June 29, 1961. He passed from this life peacefully on February 22, 2024 after a late-stage cancer diagnosis.
Duane’s parents noticed early on that he loved music. As a toddler he would stand in his crib and sing hymns at the top of his lungs until his mother came to get him.
When his first sibling Suzie was born, he completely doted on her. Too little to carry her, he would drag her from room to room so she could be with him wherever he was playing.
Duane served in the Army and worked for many years at the Walla Walla Veterans Home.
He will be remembered for his great love of classic American cars, his fascination with collectible knives, and the way he always cranked up music with a good bass line.
Duane was preceded in death by his mother, Darlene Mustard. He leaves behind wife, Patti Towne; father Carl Towne; daughter Denise Towne; step-children Corey Shaffer, Kimberly Goble, Rex Kern; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; a brother and three sisters, Suzie Towne, Donna Bond (Jared), David Mustard (Jamie), and Darla Colchester-Cook (Christopher).
The family would like to thank the many health care professionals and amazing social workers at Providence Family Medicine (Walla Walla, WA), St. Mary’s Hospital (Walla Walla, WA), Loving Care Adult Family Home (Lynnwood, WA), and Evergreen Hospice (Lynnwood, WA) who cared for Duane with such compassion in his final days. Before his passing, Duane asked us to share 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
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