Duane Craney

We thought they would last forever—those old ones who taught us, bent us, sweetened our lives. We thought our questions would always go to them, and answers would return in familiar voices. Too many times we did not appreciate their humor, their words that chided us with lessons. Our differences were great, we thought. Our eyes wandered to other things, our voices mingled with strange ones. And suddenly, like the vapor mists that lift and fade on sun-struck mountain tops, they were gone. We did not see them go. They slipped past the boundaries to joy and rest without limit. Now, the questions land in midair without voices to answer. And the differences fade like the mists but memory persists with genuine humor, genuine love and we, in turn, convince our young to, “Hear me now, my children…” – A Cherokee Feast of Days Duane was a very loyal and hard-working man. He was loyal to his country, family and his employers and truly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After graduation, Duane entered the army and went off to boot camp. He fought in WWII in the South Pacific in the Philippines, New Caledonia and finished with the occupying forces in Japan. Duane did not talk much about the war as he wanted to keep it in his past where he felt it belonged. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged on February 15, 1946. After the war, he returned to Eau Claire, WI, and married Wilma Evelyn Stewart in 1949. They moved to Denver later that year and raised four children: Suzanne, William, Richard and Robert. He lived in the same house on E. Lowry Place for more than 50 years. When he and the family moved into that house, Havana Street was still a dirt and gravel road. He began his career in the auto business in the 1950s with Nash-Hudson and stayed with the same company as it changed hands numerous times. Nash-Hudson became Nash- Rambler which became American Motors which became American Motors Jeep. Chrysler bought Jeep and American Motors was dissolved and Duane retired from Chrysler in 1987. Duane was always there for his family. With his soul mate, Wilma, they raised their family in Aurora and their mission was to always be the best possible parents for their children. Throughout the years, Duane was a great example of what it was like to be a wonderful and caring husband, father and grandfather. Duane’s life had four strong constants; a belief in Christ, the undying love to his wife, loyalty to his family and loyalty to his country. In his spare time, and even after he retired, Duane still liked to tinker with his pride and joy; his auto collection, which included a 1954 Hudson Hornet, 1956 Ford Pickup, 1969 American Motors AMX, 1982 Lincoln Town Car and a 2000 Dodge Dakota. All these vehicles are in great mechanical condition and Duane, in the last few years, had the Hornet and Ford Pickup repainted and reupholstered to showroom condition. His hobbies also included fishing in Wisconsin and Colorado, Old West history, reading non-fiction books but he really cherished being around cars, fixing them, showing them off and talking about them. He even rubbed elbows with The Beach Boys and John Wayne on visits to Denver and drove them around in one of the company Jeeps. Duane is survived by three of his children, all of whom still live in Aurora; Suzanne Miller, Richard Craney and Robert Craney. Grandchildren are Brooke Meyer, Heather Woodward and Christopher Craney. Great grandchildren are Sydney and Lauryn Meyer. Duane’s siblings are Vern Craney of Lincoln City, Oregon and Ione Michels of South Milwaukee, WI. Preceding Duane in death were his wife, Wilma Craney, son William Craney and granddaughter Robin Craney.