Obituary: Van Gundy, Duane Albert
Age 83
After long days of chores and tending to the horses and crop work he would work on his car or drive to various social events in neighboring towns.
He loved to drive.
Duane joined the US Army in 1952 and worked two years in Supply, first here in the States and later in Germany.
In March of 1956 he married Judith Ann Wilkinson and the following year Duane and Judy loaded up their car and trailer and their three week old son James Lyle and moved to Spokane.
Duane took a job at the parts counter of the Chevrolet dealership and Judy set about raising their little boy and making their house a home.
In 1959 Diana Jo was born, completing the family.
Duane soon took a job at Washington Machinery and eventually, along with two partners, purchased the business and renamed it Motor Supply.
He also spent countless hours in his back yard garage fixing cars for friends.
Later jobs included sales work for Custodial Supply Company in Spokane and a custodian position at Greenacres Middle School.
He retired in 1996 to care for Judy who died later that year after a losing battle with cancer.
Duane and Judy spent lots of time with their young grandkids, going to baseball and basketball games and camping.
They also logged many miles in various cars over the years on trips to Nebraska, Montana and Wyoming, among other places, to visit family and attend reunions.
Did I mention he loved to drive?
In the last years of his life Duane enjoyed taking walks with his companion, Wilda Sutton, eating lunch with friends at Annie’s Hillside Restaurant and staying active in his church.
He was preceded in death by his wife Judy, and daughter Diana.
His surviving siblings are Marcie Schultz, Jerry Van Gundy, Ken Van Gundy, Ron Van Gundy and Marlene Ruppert.
He also leaves behind his son Jim Van Gundy, grandsons Shawn and Brian Bailey, granddaughters Jennifer Igbinoba and Robin Van Gundy, one great-grandson, Shawn’s boy, Brady Bailey and lots of nieces and nephews.
We will celebrate Duane’s life at a memorial service on Saturday October 25, 2pm, at Crestline Nazarene Church located at 4520 N. Crestline in Spokane.