Duane David Oberquell

Duane David Oberquell, a six-year resident of Clovis, CA, passed away peacefully September 30, 2024, surrounded by his family and friends. Duane was 79 years young when he passed at Kaiser Modesto after a difficult, but brief, bout with cancer.

Duane was born in Denver, CO on May 21, 1945, to David Elisha Oberquell and Anna MaE (Bennett) Oberquell. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dwight, and brother Daryl. Duane is survived by his personal touchstone, his wife of 58 years, Linda Lee (Reynolds) Oberquell. Also, he is survived by his son David Wayne Oberquell and daughter-in-law Van (Nguyen) Oberquell, son Chad Karsten Oberquell, brother Donald Oberquell and sister-in-law Carol (Hammerstrom) Oberquell, sister Crystal (Oberquell) Anderson and brother-in-law Ray Anderson, sister-in-law Anne (Slavic) Oberquell, wife of Daryl Oberquell, deceased, sister-in-law Brenda (Reynolds) Cadle, grandchildren Austin, Tyler and Sean, and great-grandson Jackson.

Duane attended high school in Glasgow, Montana, later earning his Bachelor and Master of Architecture from Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. Duane’s education was interrupted when he was drafted in 1968 and served overseas as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam in the years 1971-1972 earning the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, Bronze Star Medal and Army’s Air Medal with nineteen awards. Duane served our country in active service for a total of 5 years, and in the Montana Army National Guard afterwards as a pilot and rotary wing instructor pilot.

His hobbies included golf, music, playing the banjo, fly fishing, his Harley motorcycle, and flying. Pastel painting was the most recent hobby that he was immersed in and for which he won several awards.

Duane was very involved with the American Legion and the American Legion Riders, both in Clovis and prior to moving to Clovis, with the Legion and Legion Riders in Santa Clara, CA. In his retirement, Duane was also dedicated to using his expertise as a Director of Facilities Manager at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose to benefit the congregation of Clovis Sonrise Baptist Church and their expanding high school education program.

Throughout his life Duane was dedicated to those surrounding him and mentored many. Because of his personal hardships over the years, he was able to effectively empathize with many individuals.

Celebration of Life Service for Duane was held at the Clovis Sonrise Baptist Church, located at 3105 Locan Avenue, Clovis, CA 93619 on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 2:00 PM and was officiated by Sr. Pastor J. Otis Ledbetter.

If you would like to make a Memorial Donation in Duane’s name, the family asks that you remember the Mission 22 Program that supports veterans in crisis and suicide prevention, an organization and cause close to Duane’s heart. You can click on the link below.