Claude Duane Tracy

Claude Duane Tracy passed peacefully at the Powell Valley Care Center on December 5th at the age of 86. His three sons and one grandson were by his side while his wife sang hymns and prayed as Duane graduated into Heaven. Duane is survived by his loving wife Bernie of over 60 years. He was the proud and loving father of 3 sons and grandfather of 6 grandchildren. He is survived by his sons, Mark (Carmen), and their two sons, Christian and Matthew; George (Teresa) and their son, Paul; Michael (Karrie) and their family, Anya (Kyle), Nic (Autumn), and Amanda (Colin); his two sisters, Sharon Avery and Carol Baldridge, plus many beloved nieces and nephews. His mother, father, and brother preceded him in death. Born in Grand Junction, Colorado, Duane was raised on a ranch on the Western Slope and was the oldest of four siblings. He loved to hunt and fish in the Colorado high country when he was younger and, later in life, he fulfilled his lifelong goal of becoming a private pilot. He served with the Civil Air Patrol in Wyoming. Duane said he always felt at home when he lived where he could see the mountains. Duane served in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller, then attended college where he studied engineering. After college, he worked as a metallurgist in the energy sector until his retirement in 2012. He and his family lived in Colorado, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Alaska and Borneo before moving to Houston, Texas. While in Houston he consulted on pipeline corrosion projects in South Africa, Bahrain, Russia and Dubai. In 2013 he and Bernie moved to Powell to live closer to son Mike and family. Duane attended Second Baptist Church in Houston where he was baptized. He served as a Deacon, belonged to the “Ticket to Heaven” Bible study class and attended Bible Study Fellowship. After moving to Powell, he joined First Baptist Church (now Grace Point) where he served on the Missions Team, regularly attended Sunday morning Bible study and worship service and continued to attend weekly Bible Study Fellowship meetings. He also looked forward to Community Group and a weekly one-on-one Bible study and prayer time. When he could no longer attend church in person, he took advantage of the online streaming of the service. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Powell Valley Care Center for their loving care, support and kindness over the past year. They also thank Karrie for her overnight caring presence with Duane beginning the week of Thanksgiving and to Mike for spelling Bernie of her daytime care presence and being available at any hour. Special thanks to the care team at 307Health for their support and assistance for many years that allowed Duane to live at home as long as possible in the midst of his health challenges. Services will be held at Grace Point on Friday, December 13, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missions Fund at Grace Point, Samaritan’s Purse or the charity of your choice.