Duane Dunbar

Pat “Duane” Dunbar, 75, passed away on April 18, 2024, at Central Washington Hospital. He was a man of many trades, renowned for his work ethic, meticulous attention to detail and, most of all, his dedication to family. Duane, affectionately referred to as “Dunny” by many, especially his wife, brought warmth, joy, humor and friendship to everyone he met. Duane was born in Ozone, Arkansas. He and his father, Manley Dunbar, braved the world together from the time Duane was two years old, traveling from Arkansas across the country and working harvests throughout Duane’s youth. Eventually, Duane and his father settled in Chelan, Washington where he attended high school and, as fortune would have it, met the love of his life, Doris. Duane and Doris graduated in 1968 from Chelan High School and were married the same year. Their full and rich life together blessed them with 3 children, Jeff, Greg and Kim. Family was everything to Duane and he always put 110% into everything he did. Duane was truly talented at everything he did. If there was a sport, Duane could do it – and usually better than anyone else while making it look effortless. If something needed to be fixed, he could fix it. If something could be built, he could build it. If someone needed help, he was always there – especially for his family and friends. Duane’s commitment to family was evidenced in his work career. He spent many years working hard to support his family, starting in his youth selflessly working alongside his father to make ends meet, taking a year off from high school as a teenager to support his father who suffered from significant health problems, and later working at Kelly’s hardware and eventually owning and operating several businesses. In the last 30 years of his working career, Duane worked as a pipefitter, focusing on design, installation and oversight of fire suppression systems and other construction-related projects. In 2012, he retired from Local 669 of the Pipefitter’s Union. After retirement, Duane enjoyed taking care of his yard, fixing anything and everything around his house or those of his family, having coffee with his wife under the gazebo and spending time with family. He took his role as Papa very seriously and was dedicated to all things related to his grandkids; teaching them how to fix things, driving them around on the lawn tractor, watching plays, ballet recitals, football games, soccer matches and being present wherever their interests took them. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Doris Dunbar, his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Marianne Dunbar, son Greg Dunbar and daughter Kim Dunbar, 4 grandchildren, Tre de Imus, Lily de Imus, Carolyn Dunbar and Luke Dunbar. He was preceded in death by his father. A Celebration of Life service will be Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 2:30 pm at Chapel of the Valley, 378 Eastmont Ave., East Wenatchee. Following the Celebration of Life service there will be a small gathering at the family’s home. Friday, May 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. will be the interment at the Chelan Fraternal Cemetery at 55 Union Valley Rd, Chelan. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Human Fund or Chelan Valley Hope/Food Bank. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA - www.chapelofthevalleyncw.com

Duane Dunbar

July 2, 1948 - April 18, 2024