Duane Melbourne Leazenby Obituary
Duane Melbourne Leazenby, of Bakersfield, CA, formerly of Evans, GA, passed away there from cancer on July 10th, 2024, at the age of 92. Cremation followed. Born on October 29th 1931 at Cadillac, MI, he was the only child of the late Charles Berchard and Elvina Marie (Olson) Leazenby. Duane was a retired procedure writer at Westinghouse Electric Co. who had also served in the US Naval Reserve. Even well into advanced age he enjoyed square dancing, traveling, and visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and brought delight to some of his granddaughters by giving them away at their weddings. He was quite skilled at everything he set his hand to, was a skilled handyman, and having saved the lives of some, is considered a hero.
Duane married Geraldine Kathleen Gudmunson at Seattle, WA on December 7th, 1956. They divorced in 1978. In 1980 he married secondly, at Phoenix, AZ, Debra Susan Krupp, whom he divorced in 1985. Lastly he married his beloved, Jane Elizabeth (Floyd) Godowns, at Augusta, GA on Apr 24th 1992. Duane loved, cherished and took care of Jane until her passing in 2014.
Duane is survived by two sons, Ray A. Leazenby of Bakersfield, CA and Erik R. (Whitney) Loreto of Danville, IL; three daughters, Diana L. (late Thomas A.) Chambers of Lincoln Co., OK, Linda A. (Brian T.) Cummings of Las Vegas, NV, and Angelica S. Hess of Colonial Heights, VA; grandchildren, Kaylen C. (Justin L.) Smith of Clearfield, KY, Sheena (Jeremy S.) Herin of Shawnee, OK, Destiney Mariott of Oklahoma, Brian T. and Kyle W. Cummings of Las Vegas, NV, Sarah A. (Thomas A.) Porzillo of Portsmouth, VA and others; great-grandchildren Trynity D., Trystan N., Paul Duane, and Dominick H. Smith of Clearfield, KY, Sofia J. and Lucas S. Herin of Shawnee, OK, Jessie B. and Lucy Mariott of Oklahoma, and several other friends and family members and square dancing partners.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of twenty-two years, Jane Elizabeth (Floyd) Godowns Leazenby.
Duane was loved and respected by many, touched many lives, and will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held in Morehead, KY in early August 2024. Donations can be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society.
