Duaine Harold Whitaker, 89, passed peacefully, comforted by his many loved ones, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. He was born in Protem, Missouri on May 3, 1933 to James Aaron Whitaker and Purna Mae Brown.

Duaine proudly served in the US National Guard and later the US Air Force. He obtained the rank of Staff Sgt. before being honorably discharged in December of 1955.

Duaine married Patricia Futch in 1955 and in 1960 moved his family to Denton, TX to work at Foremost Mobile Home as an electrician. Later, he traveled the country delivering the trailers he helped build.

As his family continued to grow, he stopped traveling and started Dynamic Mobile Home Repair. Duaine ran his business full time, and eventually part-time, well into his retirement.

After the birth of his third child, he began working as a maintenance supervisor for Denton Independent School District. Years later he took an early retirement and accepted the position as Maintenance Supervisor for Denton State School, where he continued to work until his final retirement.

After retiring, he began supporting the Native American Peoples through coordinating Peace and Dignity Runs, researching his family lines and teaching the Native American ways. He enjoyed spending time at his family land- the Golden Hawk- where he taught many grandchildren and great grandchildren how to drive a tractor, construct buildings, give a knuckle sandwich and the only correct way to eat a biscuit- smothered in peanut butter, butter, syrup and honey!

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Whitaker, a sister, Sue Senn, son Steve Whitaker and wife Tracey, daughters Debra Lawrence and late husband Larry, Stacy Cobos and husband Adan, Michelle Klose and husband Will.
Grandchildren: Shawn, Leah, Jason, Britney, Amber, Natasha, Rebecca, Kelsey, Heather, and Aaron, many great grandchildren and many honorary members who called him Dad and Pawpaw.

He never met a stranger and people knew him everywhere he went. He loved his family dearly, and we will always remember him as the glue to our family, and the strongest and most stubborn man we knew.