George Pierce Duane, Jr.
George Pierce (Pete) Duane, Jr., 87, died peacefully at the Blue Ridge Hospice Residential Center in Winchester, VA, on May 2, 2014. Pete was born in Stony Creek, VA, the son of George P. and Lucille W. Duane.
Pete entered military service in August, 1944 during World War II and served in the Army Air Corp. At the conclusion of the war, he enrolled in and graduated from Randolph Macon College in 1949 with a degree in physics and mathematics. He met his wife Jane in Richmond, VA. They were married in October 1951 and relocated to Winchester, VA in 1957 where Pete operated his own insurance agency.
Upon arrival in Winchester, Pete became very involved with his church, Braddock Street United Methodist, and over the years held many chair positions, including six years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army and served eight years with the Winchester Planning Commission, four as Chairman. He was also past President and Chairman of the local HUD Chapter 8 residential facility, and served on the Board of Winchester House, Inc. for nine years. Pete was a member of the Winchester Jaycees, Kiwanis and Rotary International.
In 1965, Pete founded Chem-Pak, Inc., a successful manufacturing company specializing in industrial aerosol chemical and maintenance specialty products. In 1985, he procured a patent on a specialized coating which he personally developed for use in the automotive molding industry. He continued to focus and expand this patented product line to over 50 products and to this day the products are sold and used by many major automotive manufacturers.
Pete was a music lover of the Big Band Era. While a student at Randolph Macon, he played the trumpet and trombone in a dance band. After college, he continued to play and arrange music for several dance bands in and around the Winchester area.
Pete always desired to fly planes, and in 2004 completed his basic flight training and received his Basic Airmanship Certification. He was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Orioles.
Pete loved his Doberman Pinscher, Sam, and his tabby cat, Miss Kitty, as well as the many squirrels who resided in his yard that he enjoyed feeding daily.
He leaves behind his wife of 63 years Jane S. Duane, his son, Douglas A. Duane; his daughter, Susan D. Scott and husband Stuart; his son Randolph P. Duane and wife Helen; and his grandchildren, Michael Christopher Duane and wife Marina, Sara Elizabeth Scott, and Elizabeth Randolph Duane. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Harris.
A celebration of Pete’s life will be held on May 6, 2014 at Omps Funeral Home, 1600 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA with family visitation at 1:30 p.m., followed by a service a 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.
Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com