Duwaine Prater Brookover, age 72, of Colville, Washington went to be with the Lord on May 9, 2013. He was born March 15, 1941 in Parkersburg, West Virginia the son of Donald Leach and Vesta Alice (Thorn) Brookover. Duwaine grew up in a rural setting where he developed a passion for the outdoors. His childhood was filled with activities of the country life. He attended church every Sunday, a one room schoolhouse, participated in 4-H, Sea Scouts, and finished his education at Parkersburg High School where he played for the State Championship football team in 1958. When Duwaine graduated high school, he went to work for Corning Glass in Parkersburg until he was drafted in 1963. During his service in the Army, Duwaine was stationed at Fort Lewis where he made connections to Northeast Washington that would eventually draw him back to spend his life with his future bride Mary Ellen Johnson. After his discharge from the service, Duwaine proposed to the love of his life on April 10, 1966. He and Mary Ellen were married November 27. Duwaine wanted his new bride to see the west and the two made their way to Washington State on their honeymoon to visit friends he had met in the service. What began as an adventure, change the course of their lives. They purchased their first home and found employment in Spokane, Washington in 1968. The couple moved to Colville in 1969 where Duwaine worked for Boise Cascade in Kettle Falls until he retired in 2006. Colville provided the perfect playground for Duwaine to pursue his passions. He and Mary Ellen purchased property where he worked to build a home for his wife and two sons in the North Basin. Here he was able hunt and fish in his own back yard, passing on his love for the outdoors to his sons. God gave Duwaine a gift for connecting with people and this gift drew him out into the community to develop relationships that lasted throughout his life. Over the years, he spent countless hours as a member of the Colville United Methodist Church as well as being active in the Masons, Scottish Right, El Katif, Eastern Star, Guardian of Jobs Daughters, Fort Colville Grange, Awana as well as active involvement in his family's endeavors. When his son's married, Duwaine embraced his "daughters" as his own and his five grandsons occupied a special place in his heart. In his retirement years, Duwaine and Mary Ellen built another home and passed the days sitting on the porch, gardening, pursuing his passion for street rods, traveling the United States, enjoying his family, and serving his community in his church's soup kitchen. Duwaine's passing will leave a noticeable void in the life of all who knew him. God graced the world with a man who left an indelible mark on your heart through his gift to make a friend in any circumstance. He drew you in with his infectious smile and kind blue eyes; he kept you enraptured with his ability to spin a good story, tell a funny joke, or lend a listening ear. He lived his life with passion; he carried a spark of enthusiasm for any new project or adventure. Duwaine taught those around him how to love through his actions and devotion to his wife of 47 years and pride in his family. His love for the Lord was exemplified in all that he did. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Ellen Brookover, his sons Scott and Shaine Brookover, two loving "daughters", and five grandsons; as well as, two brothers, Donald and Dwight Brookover, and his sister Sharon Willis. He will be waiting in heaven to greet them.The funeral service for Mr. Duwaine P. Brookover will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Colville Community Church with Pastor Don Swanson officiating. The graveside service will follow at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville, WA. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.