Rest in Peace, OJ...

Orville Judson "OJ" Duncklee passed away on Saturday January 14, 2011 due to complications from diabetes. He was 86. His best friends called him "Dunk", but he was just "Grandpa" to Dayven.

OJ was born May 25, 1924. He grew up on a farm in Kansas, riding horses and playing with his brother Ralph. After high school, he became a pilot in the Navy. He married his sweetheart, Barbara Manda-Lou Seaman on December 1, 1946 in Denver, Colorado. They went on to have three children. The oldest was Karen Dayle (Dayven's mom), followed by Barbara Ann and baby brother Mark Alan. They loved attending neighborhood parties and spending time with family and friends. Holidays were always festive, with Easter egg hunts for all the neighborhood children and a neighborhood Christmas party that included a special visit from Santa. They were busy raising their kids, with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, dance lessons and various other activities occupying their time. They enjoyed traveling in their camper, snow skiing, boating and fishing. They had many wonderful years together, saw their children marry and were blessed with many grandchildren. OJ lost his beloved wife and best friend, Barbara, in 1984 after a long battle with breast cancer. Dayven was just 6 and barely remembers his grandma. Dayven's mom, Karen, was such an avid scrapbooker. We are grateful for the photos and journaling that help us learn a little bit about who she was and their life together.
 
A year later, OJ married an old high school friend, Maxine "Macky" and they kept each other company for many years. OJ was able to enjoy the next generation, as his grandkids started having kids of their own. He loved cars - tinkering with them, talking about them and of course, driving them. Anyone who knew him knew he had quite a lead foot! As a pilot, he had partial ownership in a plane with a friend and enjoyed flying in his spare time. He spent most of his career as a fireman and loved spending time at the firehouse, cooking and trading stories with his buddies. His line of work made him extra cautious and he was always warning us not to leave burning candles unattended and to always lock the doors. He had a very giving spirit and was always trying to help others. Once he bought a bagger at Safeway a new bike. As he got older, he stopped cooking and often went to Safeway to pick up something from the deli for dinner. He loved chatting with all the workers and they all knew him by name. Every year he hosted a Christmas party for the entire family. He loved having everyone together. This past year he had 67 people - the biggest one yet! He lived on his own the entire time and was still driving himself around. He lived a good life, despite losing many loved ones.

His oldest daughter, Karen (Davyen's mom), passed away in 2008 to breast cancer, like her mother. Macky passed away in 2009. OJ had so many losses in his life. He outlived two wives, a daughter and countless friends. We're just grateful his passing was swift and he did not suffer long. Rest in Peace, OJ. We'll miss you!

For our Denver area friends - the visitation will be held Thursday January 20 from 4-6pm at Crown Hill Mortuary in Wheat Ridge. The funeral will be Friday at 3pm.