Duane Ronald Sylvester
Date Of Birth: 01/07/1934
Date of Death: 02/22/2014
Our loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 22, 2014.
Duane was born January 7, 1934 in Windom Minnesota. After attending high school in Brewster MN he entered the Navy and was a SeaBee for four years. Upon his discharge in 1956, he moved to Portland Oregon to live with his grandma Ella in her ceramic shop where he met the love of his life Shirlee Ann Childreth. They married in August of 1960 and just celebrated their 53rd anniversary this past summer.
He worked for Tektronix for 23 years then opened his own auto engine repair shop in Hillsboro for 12 years. After retirement he indulged in his love of working with his hands, building model trains, planes, automobiles, and ships, usually from just a photo. He had an impeccable eye for detail and spent hours perfecting all his creations. However, his grandest achievement of all was being patriarch of his family. He loved and protected his wife, his girls, and his grandchildren with all his heart.
He was a generous, selfless, loving man, who helped stranger, acquaintance, friend and family. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to give of himself to solve a problem or ease the suffering of a fellow human being.
He delighted us all with his wit and humor and spoke for hours sharing family stories and history.
He is survived by his wife Shirlee, daughters Teresa Ferguson (Carlos Vazquez) and Laura Glass, son-in-law Gary Glass, his grandchildren Heather Ferguson, Evan Glass, and Haley Glass, brothers Allan Sylvester and Charles Sylvester, and numerous nieces and nephews.
We wish to give thanks to Knight Cancer Institute, Avamere Care Facility, and Serenity Hospice.
Oh husband, father, grandpa, grandpete, brother, uncle we shall miss you so.
Farvel, vi elkser deg. (Farewell, we love you.)
I feel fortunate that I was able to meet and spend some time with Duane. Our condolences to the family for your loss!
He truly was a great man who will be greatly missed along with his wit and stories of family and life’s experiences.so long for now uncle Duane,we love you
I as well as my family will truly miss him and his family stories. Loved being around him. Couldn’t wait for
the next visit. He truly was a great man. Can’t be replaced. Love you Uncle Duane!!!!
Every time I saw him he called me “little sister”. He really was my “big brother”. I will so miss his visits to Minnesota, the teasing, family tales will be greatly missed. He was the one who had all the family stores. We will miss your smile, laughter, wit and your caring heart. The first time I met him, he took me under his wing. Shirlee, Teresa, Carlos, Laura, Gary, Heather, Evan, Haley, Allan and Chuck you had such a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and brother, he was an awesome man whom cannot be replaced. We will miss you dearly Duane. God bless!