Duane Cathey

Duane passed away on January 17, 2015 at Crestview Care Center in Chadron. Duane Barton Cathey, 85, was born on June 9, 1929 in Dewey County, Oklahoma to J.B. and Josie (Krows) Cathey, the third of four children. Duane grew up on the farm in Dewey County, graduating from Richmond High School in 1947. He married Noma Jean Leachman on October 2, 1948 in Woodward, Oklahoma. Into this union three daughters were born. Duane had been to South Dakota with a harvest crew in 1947 and 1948. In the summer of 1949, Noma Jean joined him on the harvest journey to South Dakota and Duane returned once more the summer of 1951. It was at that time he was offered a job working for Vic Peterson on his farm southwest of Oelrichs. Returning to Oklahoma, he loaded up all his possessions along with his wife and year-old daughter and moved to the Oelrichs area in August of 1951. That first winter in South Dakota was very cold with more snow than the young couple had ever seen before. A team and bobsled had to be used to get feed to the sheep. Duane eventually leased the Peterson place until their move to the Perry Moody ranch east of Ardmore, South Dakota in 1966. In 1979, they built their own home southwest of Oelrichs, where he continued to farm and ranch until a stroke in 2006 left him unable to continue leading the active lifestyle he had known and loved his entire life. Duane and Noma Jean moved to Prairie Pines Retirement Center January 2, 2011. With his health gradually declining, Duane entered Crestview Nursing Home in Chadron in August of 2014 where he lived until his death January 17, 2015. As a young man, Duane enjoyed playing baseball, playing both in high school and on the Oelrichs town team, and played the game with his daughters and then grandsons as they grew up. Duane was proud of his girls, teaching them honesty and respect of others. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sports, school events, and having them help out on the farm where they too learned many of life's values. The great grandchildren were an extra special delight as he enjoyed just being around them at holidays and family functions. A highlight of Duane's and Noma Jean's life was celebrating their 50th anniversary with a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands along with two of their daughters and their spouses. Duane was a member of the Prairie View United Methodist Church. During his lifetime, he served on the harmony District School Board and the Township Board. For several years he was a member of the Farm Service Agency Board. Duane was always willing to help a neighbor and will be missed by those who knew and loved him. Duane is survived by his wife of sixty-six years Noma Jean; daughters, Vicky (Merle) Morford of Chadron, Cindy (Ron) Trent of Oelrichs, Gayle (Paul) Amann of Lemon Grove, California; grandchildren, Corey Pourier, Tye Pourier, Justin Trent, Devon Trent, John Morford, Jason Morford, Dana Ransom, Beth Amann-Wagner, and Lisa Amann; twin brother, Darrel (Jan) Cathey of White Deer, Texas; sisters, Eula Farmer of Oklahoma City, OK and Naida Meyer of Weatherford, Oklahoma; fourteen great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. He was preceded in death by a grandson and a great grandson. A memorial has been established for the Prairie View United Methodist Church Oelrichs. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Service:

Friday, January 23, 2015 ~ 2:00 PM

Prairie View United Methodist Church ~ Oelrichs, South Dakota



Visitation:

Thursday, January 22, 2015 ~ 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Chamberlain Chapel ~ Chadron, Nebraska