George Chanley Duel

Enid News and Eagle

12-01-2007

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

© Glenn

A memorial service celebrating the life of Chan Duel was Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at Hennessey First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with Rev. Randy Burke officiating. A military burial will follow in North Lions Cemetery, Marshall, OK under the direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home.

George Chanley (Chan) Duel was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Carmen, OK to Butch and Jerry Duel and passed into his eternal rest on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007 at 12 noon.

He graduated from Marshall High School in May 1949 where he was an outstanding athlete. He played tailback and was captain of his football team and also played basketball and baseball. He participated in FFA and was a member of the Marshall High School marching band. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in January 1954 with a BS in arts and science. He then received his master’s degree in secondary education from OSU in 1959. While at OSU he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army on March 1, 1954. Chan was stationed at Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas, followed by San Marcos, Texas Air Force Base. His next assignments were Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. He was stationed at Wharton Barracks in Heilbronn, Germany and also at Memau, Germany. He went through jump school at Fort Benning to get his parachute wings in the Special Forces, Green Beret. He enjoyed rappelling from mountainsides during his tour of duty as well as coaching the battalion football team in Germany. He was recalled to service at Fort Hood, Texas, in September 1990 for Desert Storm and retired from active duty after 34 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the Army Reserves throughout his military career.

He coached football, basketball and baseball while teaching history and driver’s education. He made education a priority and, together with his wife, provided quality education for all three of his children. He served as a principal for both elementary and high school. While at Okemah, he received the Outstanding Young Educator Award for the State of Oklahoma. He loved coaching as well as teaching in several communities including Marshall, Garber, Shattuck, Okemah and Ringwood. He coached the 1969 boys state basketball championship team at Ringwood.

He loved to dance, especially square dancing with his wife, Marilyn. He also enjoyed horse trail rides in Colorado and went on a buffalo round-up in South Dakota with his horse “Jed.” He also enjoyed golfing and water and snow skiing.

He farmed for a number of years and raised cattle and horses and helped his son-in-law Jeff Zelnicek with wheat crops as needed.

After teaching, he worked at Thurmond-McGlothlin for 15 years. Chan and Marilyn loved to travel, especially to Alaska, Europe, Canada, Mexico and most of the United States. He was a Scoutmaster, Jaycee, and served as Lion’s president. He volunteered in Hennessey for many civic projects. He was a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys, OSU Cowboys and OU Sooners. He was a member of the Oklahoma Shorthorn Association and the Hennessey Country Club.

Chan and Marilyn Curry began dating in the ninth grade and were married Jan. 23, 1953. They celebrated a wonderful golden anniversary in 2003. They have spent a lot of time traveling to see their children and grandchildren in various activities both in and out of state. Spending time with his family was his life. He had a deep love for his God, his church, his family, and his country.

He was an active member of the Hennessey First Christian Church, serving as an elder, board chairman and participating with the local men’s group and District II Christian Men’s Fellowship.

He will be remembered as a man of great integrity and generosity. Chan was a devoted husband, dad, granddad “PaPa Chan” and will be missed by those who love him. He set a wonderful example of Christian living. How fortunate to be so remembered. The world is diminished by his death but enhanced by his life. He left many cherished memories, and we will miss him greatly and may God receive him into the Kingdom of Heaven.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn; devoted daughters, Carma Taylor and husband Jim of Norman and Alisa Zelnicek and husband Jeff of Edmond; devoted son, Mike and wife Cindy of Memphis, TN. He was blessed with grandchildren, Micha Hughes and husband Jason of Yukon, Chan Aaron of the U.S. Navy, Kaylee and Braden Zelnicek of Edmond and Sullivan Duel of Memphis, TN; two great-grandchildren, Hattie and Libbie Hughs of Yukon; his mother, Jerry Duel of Oklahoma City; sister, Dena Sponsler and husband Jim of Eufaula; and sister-in-law, Wanda Duel Fairbrother of McCall, Idaho.

Chan was preceded in death by his father, Butch Duel, Marshall; his brother, Thad Duel, McCall, Idaho; and a precious grandson, Drennen Michael Duel of Memphis, TN.

Donations to the Hennessey Christian Church, North Lions Cemetery in Marshall, OK or Hospice Circle of Love of Enid in his honor would be appreciated.

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