Duane Allen Obituary

Duane L. Allen Born on February 17, 1933 in Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI to George and Charlotte Allen; died February 25, 2008 in Lansing, MI, at the age of 75. Duane graduated from Eastern High School in June, 1951. He played basket ball, football and baseball. Duane received an honorable mention on the Michigan All-State Football Team in 1950 as a lineman for Eastern High School's City Championship Football Team. In 1949, he was a forward on the State Championship Mt. Hope Presbyterian Basketball Team. He played clarinet in school and held first chair for the nationally acclaimed Lansing Eastern Marching Band during his high school career. Duane worked at Curtis Drug Store, delivered the Detroit Times and worked for Sears Roebuck before beginning his 40 year career at Oldsmobile, right after high school. He advanced through Oldsmobile's apprentice program to become a die maker. He became active in the union in 1955 and held many top union positions in UAW Local #652, both in bargaining and administration, until 1965. In 1967, he was promoted to supervision and succeeded to general supervisor, area manager and senior die engineer. He retired in 1991 after 40 years of loyal service. Always active in civic affairs, he chaired a citizen's group called The Citizens Committee for Individual Homes in the late 1960's. The principles and progressive ideas and program they encouraged and developed are still in use nationwide today and have resulted in the very successful programs such as Habitat for Humanity. He spent 24 years as a very active and effective Lansing representative on the CATA Board. He helped lead the drive to build the CATA Transportation Center and was a driving force in getting it dedicated to R.E. Olds. He organized the Everett High School Sports Boosters Club in 1972 and served as its first president. It was there he met Barbara (Foster) Binkley whose sons were athletes along with his sons and after a short courtship, they married in 1973. He became a trustee of the R.E. Olds Museum and served as board chair for three terms. It was a building period for the museum and in 1997 it was named one of the top ten automobile museums of its size in the country. He also served as a board member of the Oldsmobile Heritage Center. An avid and well known car collector, he was active in local car activities and shows as well as both the Oldsmobile Club of America (OCA) and National Antique Oldsmobile Club (NAOC). His cars have won numerous national awards over the years. He is also well known nationally as a writer for these clubs' periodicals and served as a national director for many years. Also served as President of the R.E. Olds Chapter of the local Oldsmobile Club and was active in several National Oldsmobile Meets that were put on in Lansing. Barbara and Duane have eight children; 26 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren that Duane was always very active in supporting and is very proud of each of them. He was very proud to be known to all as "Grampa D" in and around Everett and Holt High Schools. He just never missed a game. He was so very proud to see his grandchildren excel and star at Everett, Holt and Howell athletic events. They starred in football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and wrestling. He is extremely proud of the list of honors they've accomplished over the years ranging from All-State and All-Area to honorable mentions in several sports. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 28 at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 621 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI. Interment will follow in Leek Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, Lansing, MI in honor of Duane Allen.