Duane McElmurry, 62, of Libby

Duane Jerry McElmurry “Du Mac”, 62, of Libby passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Nov. 15, 2013, from natural causes.

He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wis., on Jan. 24, 1951, to Roy Allen and Ruby Alice McElmurry.  He graduated from Libby High School with the Class of 1969. He married the love of his life, Jennifer Savonne Simonson, on Dec. 15, 1973.  Together they had two children, Shawna Marie and Joseph Allen. Duane’s children were his pride and joy.

Duane held several jobs.  He was a scaler for St. Regis and then branched out with his brother Walt and later bought and owned a Gypo logging business. After his logging business, he bounced around as a sawyer and timber faller. After several years in the woods, he was hired on at Champion then worked there through Stimson Lumber Company.  He then retired.

Duane was an admired man of the community. He automatically put a smile on everyone’s face with his witty personality. His jokes and stories were never-ending. His popular saying was “Glad you got to see me,” and “It was all your pleasure.” He was also family famous for his “Bucky Beaver” grin. He was an avid sports fan. He attended every practice and sporting event that his son Joe was involved in. He enjoyed leading the Logger fans with the Logger Cheer when traveling and watching his son grow into a standout-athlete. He also thoroughly enjoyed watching his daughter Shawna cheer her heart out and play softball as she grew up.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing on his pool leagues, betting on NFL football games, going on drives on the back roads in the woods, and most of all, enjoyed hanging out with his family. One of his greatest pastimes was hanging out at various casinos giving the employees and patrons a hard time.

Everyone knew he loved his Green Bay Packers, relaxing on Sunday afternoons watching his football team was a priority. He enjoyed watching every sport, but when it came to the Packers, everything else was put on hold. He also loved watching his grandchildren play sports, as well as other events they were involved in. He was their biggest fan. He never missed an adult summer league softball game, showing up with his lawn chair and cooler. He was always there doing the books for Treasure Mountain/Libby Drug and “Hootie Hootin” them on.

He had four grandchildren that he loved and cherished more than anything. Kyrston Savonne, McKenzye Joyce, Ryker Joe and Lyndee Quinn. He loved singing, dancing and telling jokes and stories. His grandchildren enjoyed hearing the same stories over and over because they were so funny and never got old. It was a must for them to hear him sing “Catch a Falling Star” and sing along with their Papa. They will never forget getting their butts pinched and him shaking their hands to make their arms like a jello jiggler.

He is preceded in death by his father Roy Allen McElmurry and brother Kenneth Roy McElmurry. Survivors include his wife Jennifer; his mother Ruby; his two children and their spouses Shawna and Scott Fabeck, Joe and Jen McElmurry; his four grandchildren; three brothers and their spouses Ed and Eva McElmurry, Rich and Christy McElmurry, and Walter McElmurry; sister-in-law Barb McElmurry; two sister-in-laws and their spouses Zetta and Leroy Thom, Veronica (Jo Jo) and Joe Skinner; brother-in-law Shawn Weber; many nieces, nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Services for Duane will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at Christ Lutheran Church with a celebration of life immediately following at the VFW in Libby. Visitation will be 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home, 422 West 2nd St. in Libby.