Duane E. Crane, 66, of Merriam, Kansas, passed away on February 12, 2019, at University of Kansas Hospital. He passed peacefully and with dignity surrounded by his loving family.

Duane was born September, 6, 1952, to Earl and Margaret Crane of Lowell, Kansas.

Duane spent his childhood years in Lowell and attended Riverton Schools. He graduated from Riverton High School in 1970.  He continued his education at Kansas State College of Pittsburg, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Drafting Technology.

He moved to the Kansas City area and became a lifelong resident.

He is survived by Teresa, his loving wife of 44 years; his son, Justin Crane and wife Amanda; his daughter Jennifer Crane and her fiance Rafael Villalobos Torres; and two grandsons Talan and Landon were the lights of his life.   Surviving family members also include his sister, Janet Underwood; brother, Dale Crane; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by both parents.

Duane was known for his unmatched loyalty to the local sports teams.  He was an avid fan of the Royals, the Chiefs and KU basketball.  He could recite stats on all team members at any given moment. The night before he passed, he was watching his beloved Jayhawks from his hospital bed.

His love of all music was instilled at a young age by his mother.  He loved rock music, but could still enjoy an occasional opera aria, or a classical pianist.  He knew the names of every member of almost any band.  He attended numerous concerts over the years with family and friends, including an epic Genesis concert with his sister in Chicago; Rush, Boston, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, U2, Hall and Oates, Neil Young, 2  Cellos, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Clapton, Ian Anderson, Santana, Kansas, Stone Temple Pilots, Badfinger, Jethro Tull, REO Speedwagon, Mike and the Mechanics and ELO just to name a few.

Duane once played in a band with family and friends.  No doubt he is rocking in heaven with some of the best guitarist who ever lived.

He was a talented photographer of the night sky, eclipses, and southwest landscapes.  Many are framed and hanging on the walls of lucky friends and family members.

He loved to travel, hunt, fish and most of all support his two grandsons in their basketball and soccer games.  His retirement wish was to sit quietly on a dock at Grand Lake and fish in front of his log cabin.  We hope he has found his dock overlooking a shimmering lake and is quietly fishing with  many friends and family that have gone before.

In 1982, he opened Fisherman’s Paradise, in Olathe, Kansas with his good friend, the late Bob Reeves.

He loved his fishing adventures in Canada and was so hoping to return with family and good friends.

Over the years, Duane worked for Western Air Maps, American Reprographics, Wilson and Co. Architects and Engineers, Digital Mapping Associates, and most recently, Verisk Analytics/Geomni. He was an aerial photographer, Geospatial Analyst, large reprographics camera specialist as well as a supervisor in photogrammetric mapping.  He was especially excited in his new venture with the new Lidar camera.

He was a people person, never meeting a stranger.  He loved life to the fullest and will be missed by all who knew him.   He reached the end satisfied with his conscience and at peace with loved ones.  It is hard to imagine life without him amongst us, but we know our loss is his reunion and for that we can be at peace.

Duane recently posted on Facebook that he” wouldn’t wish cancer on his worst enemy, of course, I have no enemies, except cancer.”

The family would like to thank the many nurses and doctors who were part of Duane’s care the past 12 months, and the staff at University of Kansas Hospital who valiantly worked to save him. A special thank you to family and friends for their phone calls, cards, visits and prayers.

Duane loved to fly.  He loved the view from above.  He now has the ultimate view, flying higher than ever before and touching the face of God.

Visitation and Graveside Service

Visitation will be from 6:00-7:30 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2019, at Amos Funeral Home.  Burial at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 23, 2019, in Hillcrest Cemetery, Highway 66, Galena, Kansas, 66739.

Duane embraced his Native American heritage and members of the Quapaw Nation will participate in the service.  All are welcome.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to:

The V Foundation (for cancer research)

14600 Weston Parkway
Cary, NC 27513