Duane D. Parker Jr.
July 2, 1976 – May 24, 2021
A Celebration of Duane’s Life will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick, Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family on Saturday, May 29, 2021, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Social distancing measures will be in place. Memorial contributions may be made to Divided Sky Foundation, c/o of the funeral home.
“Wild flower seed on the sand and wind; may the four winds blow you home again.”
Obituary
Age 44, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021. Duane was born in Monterey, CA, on July 2, 1976, the son of Duane D. Parker Sr. and Gloria Beauregard. Duane lived the life of Grateful Dead and dancing with friends. He tried to make a difference in the life of everyone he came in contact with. To know Duane was to know love. He is survived by his mother, Gloria (Ronnie) Krantz of Kalamazoo; Duane D. Parker Sr. of Mazomanie, WI; siblings, Tonya Parker, Brandi Parker, Christopher Douglas, Lacey (Branden) Krantz, Travis Penny, Trevor Parker, Clayton Penny, Cody Parker, Dalton Parker, Eli Parker, Dustin Krantz, Malachi Krantz, Jenny Krantz, Jeremy Bloomquist; the love of his life, Sarah Jackson; grandmother, Elizabeth Beauregard; a special niece, Angel Moore; his best friend, Charles Gentry; several other nieces, nephews aunts, uncles and cousins; and countless friends. He was preceded in death maternal grandfather, Richard Beauregard Sr.; his paternal grandmother, Essy Parker; a brother, Ronnie Franklin Krantz; a niece, Jamila Moore.
Deep sympathies to Duanes family, loved ones, and friends. I knew Duane for many years. It saddens my heart to know he’s gone. Though it was often hard to connect with him whenever I heard from him the old feelings of love and brotherhood were there. You will be dearly missed old friend.
Duane was a good man.
I first met Duane at Merriweather in summer 1997. Amber and I were walking through the woods togo into another lot and we saw him and started talking to him. He said he needed ride to the next show so I was like sure come on. We’ve been friends ever since and I’ve seen him throughout the years and I’ve seen him when he was sober and I’ve seen him when he was not and I love him fully and completely and I am relieved to know that he is at peace but my goodness how I will miss this human. Duane Parker was a light in my life since 1997 that I refuse to ever release. He was that special. I am fully confident that he is going to be raging with us this summer during the shows. I offer my full heart of love and empathy to all of his family and friends as I know how difficult loss is. May his memory be a blessing.
My name is Bobby and was just one of the many Friends Dewey had. I’m deeply saddened to hear of his passing. My thoughts & prayers are with the Parker family and Sarah during this difficult time. Dewey and I didn’t hang out alot for how long and good of friends we were. The times we did spend together were always full of laughs. I extremely grateful for those, and will cherish them in my heart forever. The memories that come to mind the most were when Dewey would give me a hard time or make fun of me for about something stupid I had done. He never did it to be negative, but done out of love and care. It reminded me the way my older brother and cousins would give me a hard, or joke around out of Love. Some of the stories & laughs we had together still crack me up til this day when thinking back on them. As we all know, Dewey had the biggest heart ever, most of the time putting his issues on hold to help family and friends out anyway he could. This is just a small example of how he was there for me. It was about 2013/2014 when I had an Aunt and Papaw battling cancer at the same time and at there worst stages. I mostly kept quiet about it around everyone. One day Dewey knew something was wrong with me. He asked me what it was and said no matter what it is he’d help or talk with me about it. I explained to him what was going on with my family and how bad it was hurting me inside. Just as Dewey always stuck to his word, after telling him, he called everyday to ask how Auntie Sherrie & Papaw we’re doing, and if he could help out in any way possible. I never got a chance to tell him how much our conversations about it really got me through. That was my friend Dewey. Good, good, good people! Words cannot express how much I will miss you Dewey. I can’t thank you enough for helping me deal with what was killing me on the inside. I’m extremely grateful and thankful that I met you and became friends with you. Love You man, and Rest Easy.
Your ray of sunshine on earth will be missed. You had a wonderful spirit and always made people smile and feel at ease! Qianna & Doug Decker
I just missed knowing him from high school at lLoy Norrix. I graduated in 1991 and My last name at the time was Heffernan. I send my prayers and condolences to the family and friends that knew him .Even the Teachers that he had at high school.?He is in a better place now
Dougie was my nephew. He had a big heart, just like his mom (Gloria). He cared about people in general, but specifically his family. He had a lot of love for his mom and the rest of his family. My heart is broken. My heart is broken for my sister. My heart is broken for Big Doug. My heart is broken for Ron. My heart is broken for Elizabeth. My heart is broken for all of Dougie’s brothers, sisters (Tonya, Brandi, Dustin, Lacey, and Maliki). My heart is broken for Jeremy John and Chuck. My heart is broken for Sarah. My heart is broken because Dougie tried to get his life on track and make good decisions. But, in the end, his demons got the best of him. Dougie had a heart of gold and a genuine soul. He loved Grateful Dead. He loved Phish. We would have discussions about music. Our styles were different, but he enjoyed taking with me about my music. Likewise I was interested in the Grateful Dead and Phish. Rest is Heaven Dougie. Enjoy the time that you and Grandpa (Richard Beauregard) can share together watching over your family.
I’m so sorry to hear about Dougie’s death. After I moved to Kalamazoo for college, sometimes we would bump into each other at shows around town, and it was always wonderful to see him, so engaged with the music and the people around him. He always greeted me with a warm smile; what a great thing that was. My deepest condolences to Aunt Lizzie, Gloria, and all of you my Kalamazoo family and others who are mourning this life lost too soon.