Duane reports he led a bit of a wild life for a short time after he left college. He’d been out all night with friends. They went into a restaurant for break- fast where he spotted this very attrac- tive hostess. “Being arrogant, I gave her my phone number and asked her to call me,” says Duane. “A few weeks later, my friends and I went into the bar of the same restaurant and I saw her again. I told my friends she hadn’t called me and they told me I was silly to expect her to—girls don’t call guys. I saw her first name was Dana and, though she refused to give me her phone number, I found it. I called to ask her out three of four times, but she turned me down.”

But God had another plan. “A friend had tickets to a concert but the only way his girl would go was if he got a date for her roommate and they all went together. I agreed to help out my buddy. When we got together I discov- ered that roommate was Dana.”

Dana says, “I found out a little earlier that Duane, the guy I’d turned down, would be my date. But I’d already agreed to go and I did want to see that concert.” Duane and Dana had a great time that night and, as Dana says, “We continued seeing each other after that. I knew within two weeks that this was the guy for me.” That meeting was in the spring. Dana says, “We got married in less than a year, on February 15, 1986.”

Part of that date choice was due to a business-related commitment. Duane says, “I was managing the Turf -Seed warehouse by then. I needed to drive the loaded truck to the Golf Course Superintendent’s trade show and set up the booth for Tee 2 Green and Turf- Seed. We tore down Sunday and made it home Monday and I got married the following Saturday. Now we almost al- ways travel on our anniversary because of that trade show.

Duane and Dana settled in Canby, Oregon, a town with a current popula-

tion just under 17,000, about 30 miles north of Salem. Dana was born in Portland and her Mother, sisters, niece and nephews all live close by. Duane has two half-sisters from his Dad’s pri- or marriage. He says, “There were eight siblings in my Mom’s family and a herd of grandkids so family gatherings were always packed with fun. I have a photo of all the grandkids in 1974 posted on my Facebook page.”

Even before their son Devon was born, Dana and Duane had decided it would be best for her to stay home. She’s loved her role and how it has evolved over the years, enabling her to be a full-time Mom for Devon when he was young and to provide care and support to other family members as health issues and other needs occurred. She says, “I visit with my Mom at least twice a week and other families quite a bit, usually during the week so Duane and I will have more

weekend time together.”

Duane and Dana pose for a photo while attending a friend’s wedding this August.

Duane admits to initially succumbing to the stressful side of sales, reacting too much to each problem that arose. But he lost his Dad in 1998 and his Mom in 2002; those deaths changed his thinking. “My Dad’s death was unexpected. He had diabetes which led to amputation of one foot. He died from complications of that surgery. My Mom had ovarian cancer when I was four or five, but I hadn’t known that. The cancer returned even stronger the second time. She was 63 when she died. I think I was robbed a bit. It hits hard when you lose those so close to you that young. I realized faith, love and family were far more important than things outside of my control.”

Duane and Dana agree their strong faith base has absolutely made their life what it is. Dana does volunteer work in the ministry during the week and the family volunteers together on Saturday mornings.

Duane and Dana speak of Devon with parents’ pride in his accomplishments and heartfelt joy and thankfulness for the young man he has become. He’s confident, independent, likes people and gets along with everyone. Now 24, Devon has worked for a locksmith company for five years doing computer diagnostics and resetting computer systems for different garages. Dana re- ports he’s on the road “a lot” operating from a truck loaded with all his tools and computer equipment.

In 1991, Duane branched into sales for Turf -Seed while continuing to manage the warehouse. When Duane stepped into the national sales role and began all the travel that entails, Dana reports that one of his requests was that she go with him to the major industry events. Dana says, “When Devon was younger he would go with us, too. The travel has led to some wonderful experiences in discovering new places and meeting great people. It’s easy to understand why Duane cares so much about them and is so committed to the industry and loves his work.”

TPI TURF NEWS • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

He’s adventurous, too, having just completed a five week tour of Europe. Duane says, “He’s met so many people, he has several friends there and was able to stay with them for much of the time. He arranged lodging at hostels where he didn’t have connections. He started in Paris, traveled through France and Scotland and spent the last few weeks based about an hour outside of London.”

Asked what she appreciates most about Duane, Dana says, “He’s really a leader

83