Duane Belcher, Sr.

Duane Belcher Senior

It is with great sadness that the family of Duane Belcher Sr. shares his passing. He parted this life on September 28, 2024 at the age of 76 after a sudden illness. Duane was born on February 17, 1948 to Virginia Esther and Wilson C (Ted) Belcher both who preceded him in death. Duane was the second of three children; brother, Walter Hugh Sr. (deceased) and sister, Virgina (Ginny). 

He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He learned about helping others at an early age and together, with his mother, they were the first and, at that time, only mother and son volunteer team at Brentwood Hospital. Duane went on to graduate from John Adams High School in 1966 and he received his Bachelors of Science degree in education from Central State University in 1971. In 1981 he received his distinguished Masonic Diploma as Master Mason. 

Duane was dedicated to a challenging career path in criminal justice. He began his career in Ohio as a juvenile probation and adult parole officer. After moving to Arizona he served as director of the Congress Halfway House in Tucson. In 1992 Duane was appointed to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and served on the Crime Victims and Legislative Committees of the Commission. He was first appointed to the Arizona State Board of Executive Clemency in 1992 by the governor and in 1993 he was appointed Chairman of the Board. He served in these capacities on the Board for 20 years being appointed by and Senate confirmed under three Arizona governors. He retired in 2012 after 35 years of public service to the state of Arizona. Throughout his career Duane helped many people with their rehabilitation journey through his guidance and compassion. 

Duane loved the best of the best and the newest of the new which to him was Honda Gold Wing motorcycles (not Harleys), Toyota Tundra trucks, Costco, and the top of the line electronics like Apple iPhones (not androids), of course! He was a free spirit and loved to get on his bike and take to the highway sometimes alone but often with his buddies traveling cross country, seeing the beauty of the country and feeling the wind at his back. But family was his greatest joy. 

Together with his former spouse, Sandra, they had one son, Duane Jr and he was dad to her daughters Sonya and Monique. Also from a former relationship, he had one daughter, Kendra. He had eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who brought happiness to his life. He cherished close bonds with his favorite (and only) daughter-in-law, Monica Belcher, his favorite (and only) brother-in-law, Bradley Rountree and his nephew, Walter Hugh Belcher Jr. Although they were nine years apart he also shared a very special bond with his sister, Ginny. They were always there for each other. 

Duane and his best girl, Ingrid Jordan, met in 1990 and were friends, partners and a significant part of each other’s lives throughout the past 34 years, sharing their love and caring for each other and their families. He was also Papa Duane to Ingrid’s children: Angela Gransberry; Arrachell Denise Price (deceased);TeNisha J Arends; Roderick Jordan and her nine grandchildren. 

Duane touched so many lives and his passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts and what feels like unbearable loneliness, but together we all celebrate his life: His son, Duane Belcher Jr (Monica); his step daughters Sonya Davis and Monique Minyard; his daughter Kendra Belcher; his sister Virginia (Ginny) Rountree (Brad); his nephews Walter Hugh Belcher Jr (Mario Garcia) and Kevin Rountree; and his niece Kelli Rountree; his eight grandchildren, Gavynn Belcher (Samantha),Torrence Belcher (Azzie Stevens), Duane Belcher III (Katie), Alexis Alvarado (Caesar), Justina Paz (Miguel), Rebekkah Belcher and Jada and Hezekiah Belcher; and great grandchildren, Bayliegh, Ryleigh, Elijah, and Issac Belcher, Ezra Alvarado, Duane Belcher IV, and Mina Paz. His best girl, Ingrid Jordan, and her children Angela Gransberry (Ron Colvin);TeNisha J Arends (Mark); Roderick Jordan and her nine grandchildren; Olivia Gransberry; Jordan Price; Alan Jordan (his Godson); Bryce Langford, Arabella Arends; Rion Jordan; Chad Lee Jordan; Giselle Jordan; and Cameron Jordan; and countless long time friends, colleagues and acquaintances. 

He is gone from this life but never forgotten and forever in our hearts.

 A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday November 09, 2024 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Tucson Reid Park 445 S. Alvernon Way Tucson, Az 85711. Visitation, open from 2:00 pm-4:30 pm and a Remembrance at 3:30 pm.