KELLEY, Duane Allen, age 65 of Farmington Hills, retired Fire Captain of the Detroit Fire Department, passed away June 23, 2016. Duane was born January 31, 1951, in Pontiac, Michigan; the son of James and Verna Kelley.
Duane is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Ginger. Cherished father of Duane Jr (wife, Chris) Kelley, Paul (wife, Edie) Kelley, and Jennifer (husband, Adam) McGruther. Grandfather of Jonah Kelley, Ben Kelley, Andrew Kelley, Eli Kelley, Naomi (Dave) Coates, Kailyn (Zach) Fields, Danyelle Kelley, Justin Kelley, Jenna Kelley, Julia Kelley, Jackson McGruther, Alex McGruther, and James McGruther.
He is also survived by his sisters: Vera Oakley-Kelley (husband Frank Oakley), Jan Williams (husband Winston), Verna Kemp (husband John) and Cheryl McDaniel
Duane is also survived by many “in laws”: Sheri Trudell, Tom Trudell (wife Cindy), Jim Trudell (wife Mary Ann), Jan Allen (husband Terry), Jean Trudell & David Davis (wife Sue), as well as many nieces and nephews.
Sadly, Duane is preceded in death by his parents James and Verna Kelley, brothers Jim and Herb (Lilo) and sister Susi. Also preceded in death by his mother and father in law James and Anne Trudell and nephews Jamie Trudell, Luke Davis and Adam Freeman.
Duane worked for the Detroit Fire Department in 1977 and retired as Captain in January 2011. His co workers describe him as hard-working, respected, kind, and a man who led by example. He was also ping pong & horseshoe champion at the firehouse and spent many years as the cook.
Duane and Ginger were married April 19, 1969 and Duane became a follower of Jesus on September 8, 1972 after attending a Friday night meeting with John and Verna Kemp and heard Haskell Stone teach on the Parable of the Lost Son. The next day, Ginger asked Jesus into her heart. They belonged to the Northwest Fellowship for most of the next 45 years. Duane's love for the Lord and people was evident in the ways he cared for and served others.
As part of the Fellowship, Duane spent many long hours fixing cars for free, for anyone who asked, except for the cost of parts. He also loved the Northwest Fellowship campout every August in Hale, MI and routinely was one of the hardest workers and selfless campers to attend. He also participated in the campout talent show singing such hits as “Achy Breaky Heart” and “I’m Gonna Miss Her.”
He was also well known for his “eggs to order” and omelets. He generally did not like being the center of attention and did most of his work behind the scenes.
He also regularly attended the Tuesday night Bible study at Mark Steslicki’s and when he was most sick the past year, still attended whenever possible. The last one he attended was dedicated to him with songs and testimonies that he was able to hear. He told me it was one of the best days of his life.
Duane also loved going to Maples Resort (“The Cabins”) in Bellaire every June for Father's Day Week, with close friends. While there he loved fishing, basketball, golfing, snorkeling, and fellowship. He loved Boston Coolers from Ruthies.
Duane also loved playing sports and excelled in everything he tried, including basketball, golf, softball, bowling, ping pong, horseshoes, hockey (street and ice), football, fishing, euchre and poker. In one year he bowled a 300 game, got his only hole-in-one and caught a Master Angler bass. Last summer, while undergoing chemotherapy and having already lost 40 pounds and 30 yards off his drive, he was never beaten on the golf course. He will also be remembered for his Super Bowl squares he did with Paul and Jay.
Duane had many friends. People liked to be around him. Many people have counted him as one of their best friends. He was recently described as “He may not be my closest friend, but he was my best friend.” He loved to play, laugh and joke. He loved to get together over coffee or a diet coke and fellowship. He and Ginger often got together with friends to play cards & fellowship. Duane loved all of the Michigan sports teams, from watching the Red Wings get to the playoffs every year, to watching college football in the fall, Duane loved sports. But a special place in his, and Ginger's heart was watching the Tigers every summer, and watching the Big Bang Theory in the evening to help during the times of chemo therapy.
But most of all, Duane loved his wife, kids and grandkids. Duane and Ginger recently celebrated 47 years of marriage. Duane worked hard to provide for Ginger and their kids and after working as a short order cook and in factories, he eventually got his job on the fire department. Sometime after his retirement, he calculated that he spent 7 years of his marriage at the firehouse doing 24 hour shifts. Through it all, they were a team. He loved her and cared for her, in sickness and in health. They renewed their vows on their 40th wedding anniversary and the look in his eyes told the story that he still was in love with his bride. After his retirement they enjoyed a long vacation out west, followed by going out to lunch everyday and frequent trips to the casino and West Michigan to visit Duane Jr and his family. They traveled well together and even after he started chemo and was too sick to eat much, he continued going out to lunch as long as he could. He loved his wife like Jesus loved the church.
As a father, he led by example. Not only did he work hard at the firehouse, he worked hard on cars, giving up a lot of free time to help his friends...for free. He would also find time to play with us. We would play catch or strike out, basketball or softball, sit and “talk about vacation.” As adults, his kids enjoyed hanging out with Duane at home, on a golf course, in a fishing boat, on trips to Washington DC or Florida, or sitting in a chemo room. His daughter Jennifer attended most of his chemo treatments and Duane would text her, “Happy Chemo Day,” calling it the best day of the week. He was a father, a friend, and a brother in Christ.
As a grandfather, there was none better. He and Grandma tried to attend as many events as possible. Band concerts, plays, awards ceremonies, soccer games, baseball games, flag football games, and more. Grandma and Grandpa Kelley almost always tried to be there. Wednesday night dinners at Grandma and Grandpa’s house are what most of the grandkids will remember. Even the adult grandkids still come over when they are off. Grandpa started kickball games every week and even kept track of wins and losses, just like he did in the basement on Northrop when we were kids playing hockey down there. He made up games in the car with them and went to Cedar Point with them.
The Kelley family will receive guests at the funeral home on Sunday, June 26, from 2-9 pm.
A Funeral Service is for Duane is scheduled for Monday, June 27, at 11 am, also at the funeral home.
KELLEY, Duane Allen, age 65 of Farmington Hills, retired Fire Captain of the Detroit Fire Department, passed away June 23, 2016. Duane was born January 31, 1951, in Pontiac, Michigan; the son of James and Verna Kelley.
Duane is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Ginger. Cherished father of Duane Jr (wife, Chris) Kelley, Paul (wife, Edie) Kelley, and Jennifer (husband, Adam) McGruther. Grandfather of Jonah Kelley, Ben Kelley, Andrew Kelley, Eli Kelley, Naomi (Dave) Coates, Kailyn (Zach) Fields, Danyelle Kelley, Justin Kelley, Jenna Kelley, Julia Kelley, Jackson McGruther, Alex McGruther, and James McGruther.
He is also survived by his sisters: Vera Oakley-Kelley (husband Frank Oakley), Jan Williams (husband Winston), Verna Kemp (husband John) and Cheryl McDaniel
Duane is also survived by many “in laws”: Sheri Trudell, Tom Trudell (wife Cindy), Jim Trudell (wife Mary Ann), Jan Allen (husband Terry), Jean Trudell & David Davis (wife Sue), as well as many nieces and nephews.
Sadly, Duane is preceded in death by his parents James and Verna Kelley, brothers Jim and Herb (Lilo) and sister Susi. Also preceded in death by his mother and father in law James and Anne Trudell and nephews Jamie Trudell, Luke Davis and Adam Freeman.
Duane worked for the Detroit Fire Department in 1977 and retired as Captain in January 2011. His co workers describe him as hard-working, respected, kind, and a man who led by example. He was also ping pong & horseshoe champion at the firehouse and spent many years as the cook.
Duane and Ginger were married April 19, 1969 and Duane became a follower of Jesus on September 8, 1972 after attending a Friday night meeting with John and Verna Kemp and heard Haskell Stone teach on the Parable of the Lost Son. The next day, Ginger asked Jesus into her heart. They belonged to the Northwest Fellowship for most of the next 45 years. Duane's love for the Lord and people was evident in the ways he cared for and served others.
As part of the Fellowship, Duane spent many long hours fixing cars for free, for anyone who asked, except for the cost of parts. He also loved the Northwest Fellowship campout every August in Hale, MI and routinely was one of the hardest workers and selfless campers to attend. He also participated in the campout talent show singing such hits as “Achy Breaky Heart” and “I’m Gonna Miss Her.”
He was also well known for his “eggs to order” and omelets. He generally did not like being the center of attention and did most of his work behind the scenes.
He also regularly attended the Tuesday night Bible study at Mark Steslicki’s and when he was most sick the past year, still attended whenever possible. The last one he attended was dedicated to him with songs and testimonies that he was able to hear. He told me it was one of the best days of his life.
Duane also loved going to Maples Resort (“The Cabins”) in Bellaire every June for Father's Day Week, with close friends. While there he loved fishing, basketball, golfing, snorkeling, and fellowship. He loved Boston Coolers from Ruthies.
Duane also loved playing sports and excelled in everything he tried, including basketball, golf, softball, bowling, ping pong, horseshoes, hockey (street and ice), football, fishing, euchre and poker. In one year he bowled a 300 game, got his only hole-in-one and caught a Master Angler bass. Last summer, while undergoing chemotherapy and having already lost 40 pounds and 30 yards off his drive, he was never beaten on the golf course. He will also be remembered for his Super Bowl squares he did with Paul and Jay.
Duane had many friends. People liked to be around him. Many people have counted him as one of their best friends. He was recently described as “He may not be my closest friend, but he was my best friend.” He loved to play, laugh and joke. He loved to get together over coffee or a diet coke and fellowship. He and Ginger often got together with friends to play cards & fellowship. Duane loved all of the Michigan sports teams, from watching the Red Wings get to the playoffs every year, to watching college football in the fall, Duane loved sports. But a special place in his, and Ginger's heart was watching the Tigers every summer, and watching the Big Bang Theory in the evening to help during the times of chemo therapy.
But most of all, Duane loved his wife, kids and grandkids. Duane and Ginger recently celebrated 47 years of marriage. Duane worked hard to provide for Ginger and their kids and after working as a short order cook and in factories, he eventually got his job on the fire department. Sometime after his retirement, he calculated that he spent 7 years of his marriage at the firehouse doing 24 hour shifts. Through it all, they were a team. He loved her and cared for her, in sickness and in health. They renewed their vows on their 40th wedding anniversary and the look in his eyes told the story that he still was in love with his bride. After his retirement they enjoyed a long vacation out west, followed by going out to lunch everyday and frequent trips to the casino and West Michigan to visit Duane Jr and his family. They traveled well together and even after he started chemo and was too sick to eat much, he continued going out to lunch as long as he could. He loved his wife like Jesus loved the church.
As a father, he led by example. Not only did he work hard at the firehouse, he worked hard on cars, giving up a lot of free time to help his friends...for free. He would also find time to play with us. We would play catch or strike out, basketball or softball, sit and “talk about vacation.” As adults, his kids enjoyed hanging out with Duane at home, on a golf course, in a fishing boat, on trips to Washington DC or Florida, or sitting in a chemo room. His daughter Jennifer attended most of his chemo treatments and Duane would text her, “Happy Chemo Day,” calling it the best day of the week. He was a father, a friend, and a brother in Christ.
As a grandfather, there was none better. He and Grandma tried to attend as many events as possible. Band concerts, plays, awards ceremonies, soccer games, baseball games, flag football games, and more. Grandma and Grandpa Kelley almost always tried to be there. Wednesday night dinners at Grandma and Grandpa’s house are what most of the grandkids will remember. Even the adult grandkids still come over when they are off. Grandpa started kickball games every week and even kept track of wins and losses, just like he did in the basement on Northrop when we were kids playing hockey down there. He made up games in the car with them and went to Cedar Point with them.
The Kelley family will receive guests at the funeral home on Sunday, June 26, from 2-9 pm.
A Funeral Service is for Duane is scheduled for Monday, June 27, at 11 am, also at the funeral home.
