Duane Franklin Keys, 70, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend entered eternal life on the morning of August 29, 2021, at Baylor, Scott and White Hospital in McKinney, Texas. Duane was born on August 26, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Grady Franklin Keys, Jr. and Jean Elaine Chappell Keys. He was a 1969 graduate of Ruskin High School in Kansas City, where he was a drummer in the marching band and orchestra, as well as a drummer in local rock and roll bands. After graduation, he served his country for 4 years in the US Air Force (USAF) where he spent 6 months playing snare drum with the USAF Drum and Bugle Corps. The remainder of his service was spent as a medic, serving in the hospital at both Clark AFB, the Philippines, and at Richards-Gebaur AFB in Belton, Missouri. Duane was still stationed at the Clark AFB hospital when American POWs were released from the Vietnam war, sent to Clark AFB, and shared a dining room with the hospital staff.
Duane settled in Texas, married his first wife Carolyn Duncan in 1982, and was blessed with his daughter Hannah in 1984. Although this marriage ended in divorce, Duane was a devoted father who shared a passion for sports, music, travel, and family with his daughter. In 2004, he met his current wife Diane Bunting Johnson who was living in Savannah, Georgia. They married the following year in a small chapel on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia; moved Diane to Texas in what Duane laughingly called “the great westward migration;” and have been residing in McKinney, Texas. In December 2013, Duane accepted an opportunity to retire early from his job at AT&T. In 16 years of marriage, Duane and Diane experienced great joy and great sorrow together, including the marriages of both daughters, the arrival of 7 grandchildren, and the deaths of parents and other family members. Their social life has revolved around their church and a large circle of friends. Duane was a man with clear priorities in life and was a life-long follower of Jesus Christ. He had a solid knowledge of the Bible and could bring forth appropriate Scriptures at will. He walked his faith and was mentally strong, but with a humble spirit. Friends described him as “very quiet in his faith” while “very powerful and profound” in his insights.
Music was always a part of Duane’s life. In addition to his musical participation in high school and USAF, he dedicated almost 20 years of his life to volunteering as a drummer and percussionist on praise and worship teams. He was knowledgeable about and built a large collection of classical music, giving careful attention to the musicians, composers, and symphonies performing the music.
In retirement, Duane invested in a 50th Anniversary Corvette that he showed at many car shows over the next 6 years. Many of his happiest times were spent hanging out with his car buddies at car shows or going to car shows and the gun range with his best friend.
Duane and Diane’s periodic travels were centered around family reunions, family weddings, and genealogy research trips. Their trip to Israel was especially meaningful because of the way it has since impacted their Bible study and worship life.
Duane had a life-long love of baseball, which he played during his childhood and into his early 30’s. He rarely missed watching a Texas Rangers baseball game, and he was fiercely competitive playing fantasy baseball with family members and friends. A highlight in Duane’s baseball experience was spending a week at spring training for the Texas Rangers where, at one game, Duane sat behind major league pitcher Nolan Ryan and Diane sat behind major league catcher Jim Sundberg.
Duane called his Fantasy baseball team “Stealing Home,” which is exactly what Duane did on Sunday morning, August 29th. His work on earth is completed; he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. We release him to the eternal rest that he anticipated and so richly deserves. He will be sorely missed.
Duane is survived by his wife Diane Bunting Keys, daughter Hannah Keys Williams (Jason), stepdaughter Kate Bancks (Joe), stepson Andrew Johnson, sister Linda Cartledge, mother-in-law Barbara Bunting, and his 7 grandchildren: Emily Keys, Mason and Karlynn Williams, and Esther, Benjamin, Miriam, and Jonah Bancks. He has also left behind many relatives and friends to mourn his sudden and unexpected departure from this life. Duane was preceded in death by his parents Grady Keys and Jean Chappell Poole, his stepfather George Poole, as well as beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Texas visitation will be held on September 9, 2021, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, TX. Visitation hours will extend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on that day, with a family gathering and formal visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. *Masks Required*
An Iowa visitation, funeral, and interment will be held on September 13, 2021, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church in rural Monticello, Iowa. Visitation will be at 1 p.m.; the funeral and interment with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Family and friends are invited to a reception in celebration of Duane’s life, in the church social hall at 3 p.m. See goettschonline.com for additional details.