Frank D. "Duane" Rowley

F. Duane Rowley, 81 of Polson, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. He passed peacefully in his room at Polson Health and Rehabilitation.
Duane was born on March 23, 1933 to Frank and Elsie Rowley in Helena. He spent most of his youth in Billings and then Bridger where he attended high school.
On February 23, 1951 Duane joined the Air Force. He received the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Duane spent 21 months serving in a Korean combat zone, building emergency air strips, other construction and demolition. He was discharged on February 22, 1955.
On April 1, 1955, Duane married Patricia, the love of his life. Also in 1955 the newlyweds moved to Missoula for Duane to attend the University of Montana. In 1957 the couple moved back to Billings for Duane to pursue a career in law enforcement. He attended the law enforcement academy and served as a Billings Police Officer for several years then was hired by the Montana Highway Patrol.
Duane then changed gears and became a salesman; trying his hand at selling cars, insurance, lighting and plumbing fixtures. In 1969 the family once again moved to Missoula and opened Crawford Door Sales. Three years later the family moved to Lolo. Duane and Patty also started Rowley Construction Supply. Duane focused on the window and door business and Patty the books for both businesses and lighting sales. He also built several homes in Lolo.
Although Duane had a great work ethic, he also knew how to play. He enjoyed any sport involving guns. He shot competitive skeet, trap and sporting clays. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, boating and snowmobiling. One of his favorite past times was trading guns. He had a great love for Weatherby's. On Friday nights you would often see the suburban parked out front of Ronan Sports and Western. Duane would be inside making the latest gun deal. That was always the first stop on the way to the cabin.
In 1983, in an attempt to slow down their lives some, they made a final move to the cabin on Flathead Lake. Duane worked several more sales jobs over the next few years. He also served as fill in Justice of the Peace for Lake County, until his poor health forced his retirement.
Duane was also a member of the Elks for 49 years, the VFW, NRA and Master Mason for 50 years.
Duane is preceded in death by his wife Patricia, son Steven, and his parents. He leaves behind his children, Julie (Kevin) Rowley, Lynda (Shane) Mergenthaler, two grandchildren Katelyn and Chase Mergenthaler, his sister Elodie (Bob) Willis, and his brother Howard (Marcia) Rowley.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 27th at the First Baptist Church in Polson, reception to follow with Pastor Scott Craven officiating.
The family request that any memorials be made to First Baptist Church, youth program, or Mission Valley Christian Academy.
Read Frank "Duane" Rowley's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.