DUQUETTE, Russell A.

Russell A. Duquette, age 84, passed away May 26, 2003, after a long fight, with complications due to severe chest trauma. (Russ) was born March 22, 1919, in San Diego, CA where he graduated and played baseball with Ted Williams, at Herbert Hoover High School. He was a veteran of World War II and served in Patton's 3rd Army. Russ moved to Blythe, CA in 1938, where he established his cattle ranch in the Northwestern part of the Palo Verde Valley. He started and co-operated Orangethorpe Hay Company for many years with his brothers, Jack and Kenneth Duquette. In 1948 he married Roma (Jim) Gentry of Prescott, Arizona whom he met while participating in Prescott's Frontier Days Rodeo. Russ was a member of the Cowboy Association of America. In 1952, he won the CAA All-Around Championship competing in the Bull Riding and Saddle Bronc Riding events. He competed with Casey Tibbs, Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens, Jim Shoulders, and Chuck Sheppard, to name a few of the great cowboys of this era. Russ was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, (Jim), who passed away in 1998. He is survived by his brother, Kenneth Duquette of Fontana; his daughters, Peggy Davis of O'Neals, CA; Jan Duquette of Dana Point, CA; his son, Dr. Russell C. DuQuette, and granddaughter, Rachelle DuQuette, of Paradise Valley, AZ. There will be no services per his request. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/6/2003.