John Duda

John Duda, 60, died Dec. 18, 2007, due to complications of lung cancer. John was born July 8, 1947, in Rock Springs, Wyo., to Florence Sedgwick and Joseph John Duda. John attended schools in Orange County, Calif., and Fort Collins. He entered the United States Army at the age of 16 and served two tours in Vietnam, achieving the rank of staff sergeant while working as an intelligence specialist serving on long range reconnaissance patrols LRRPS. While in Vietnam, he was wounded twice - once while on patrol and once while commanding a tank. He was honored with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and two Purple Hearts. After returning to Fort Collins, John worked in many businesses including managing a Fina service station in LaPorte, driving a semi-truck over the road, and working as a cement truck driver. For the last 11 years, he worked as a dump truck driver for the city of Fort Collins Street Department. On Sept. 3, 1971, John and Deanna Kay Sand were married. She survives. He is also survived by his sons, Robert Anthony 'Tony' Duda Michelle Webb, and Scott Jonathan Duda Heather, both of Fort Collins. Other survivors include his sister, Diana Butler; and brother, Ralph Marshall Beth; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Linda Guest Richard, Teresa Morford Rick, and Mike Sand. Nieces and nephews are Elise Guest Jeff Kloosterman, Gregory Guest Andi, Deidra Morford Vinzant Dustin, Derrick Morford Lauren Huston, Nate Marshall, Carrie Duda, Rhonda Duda and Joey Duda. Other family members include Aunt Gladys Allen, and cousins, Larry Allen, and Wayne Baumann Julie. John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gary Duda, and his uncle, Everett Allen, as well as his loving in-laws, Robert and Leona Sand. John loved fishing, hunting, and riding his Harley. He annually attended the B.A.S.H. Fishing Tournament and traveled to the Sturgis Black Hills Rally several times. For a period of time, John was a volunteer firefighter in LaPorte. He was known for his many acts of kindness. He had a knack for being first on the scene of an accident and knowing exactly what to do. He had been an ambulance driver while in the Army at San Luis Obispo. If you were ever lost in the mountains, John's the one you would like to be with. He just possessed practical knowledge. He often loaned money to friends, helped pour many a concrete patio, and would give you the shirt off of his back. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. The world was a better place for his presence. Memorial contributions may be made to the John Duda Memorial Fund in car of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., , today at the First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover. Followed by interment with military honors by the All Fort Collins Veterans Honor Guard at Grandview Cemetery. Rev. Charles Schuster will officiate at the services. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.