Duane Carr

Duane Tucker Carr died peacefully at Community Hospital on January 28, 2021 at the age of 88.

Duane Carr was born on July 6, 1932 to Nathan and Mary Carr in Powderhorn, Colorado.  He was the 5th child of 9 children. The homestead where Duane grew up and often shared fond memories of is now listed on the National Register of Historic places. Duane and the Carr family still own part of the original homestead and enjoy spending time camping, hiking and fishing on the land.

Duane attended Western State Colorado, obtaining a BS in Chemistry. It was at Western State that he met and married Arleta Finch.  They had two sons, Dan Carr of Houston, Texas and Don Carr of Keller, Texas. Duane served two years in the Army (son Dan was born in an Army hospital), then moved to West Lafayette Indiana to attend Purdue University, where he earned a PhD in Chemistry.

The family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where Duane taught Chemistry at Coe College until he retired.  During his time at Coe, Duane took a 2-year sabbatical in Ethiopia, Africa, where he taught at the Agricultural Technical Branch of Haile Selassie University in Alemaya, near Dire Dawa.

Upon retirement Duane and Arleta moved back to Grand Junction, Colorado, where they were members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Valley (UUCGV). Duane volunteered at the Catholic Outreach Soup Kitchen and also helped the local homeless shelter. He also enjoyed bird watching, gardening, photography and participating in a men’s cooking group. Duane loved life, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

A virtual service for Duane will be officiated by Wendy Jones of the UUCGV on February 27, 2021 at 10:00 am. MST, click HERE for information. In lieu of flowers or anyone wishing to donate in remembrance of Duane, may donate to the UUCGV.