RASURE, Duane Paul

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, March 23, 2014 Duane Paul Rasure, born July 7, 1929, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2014, at the age of 84. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was the son of Paul and Mildred. He was preceded in death by his wife Joy Toney Rasure. Duane attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America as a young man. He is a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard during the Korean Conflict. Following his service in the Navy, Duane joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1954 and served 31 years with, as he called them, the finest men and women in law enforcement. He was proudest of his work as a homicide detective. He was the lead detective on the accidental drowning death of actress Natalie Wood - a case that has received considerable interest over the past 30 years. He handled the scrutiny in the case with the professionalism and decorum he was so known for. Duane retired in 1985 and in 1988 he and Joy moved to Angels Camp, Calif., where they embarked on a rural ranch life with horses and other animals. He considered himself a "Gentleman Rancher." They spent many happy years there until Joy passed away in 2008. In September 2011, Duane moved to Prescott Valley, Ariz., to be close to his daughter Marnie. He was a volunteer with the Prescott Valley Police Department on their cold case crew and became a great Sundogs hockey fan. He also joined other law enforcement retirees for their monthly luncheons. He always enjoyed sharing stories of the good old days. He is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Duane is survived by his daughters Marnie Uhl, Sandra Ceci, Brenda McDonald and Kelly Devenport (Gerry); grandchildren Coral Barry, Joshua Duane Dietrich, Monica Cathey, Sarah Ceci, Amanda Brown (Matt) and Alexandra Fradella; and great-grandchildren Damian Ayala and Amelia Suniga. A memorial service will be in Angels Camp, Calif., May 31, 2014, at the Angels Memorial Chapel. It was Duane's wish to be buried next to his wife Joy. Please visit www.heritagemortuary.com to sign Duane's online guestbook. Services entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary. Information provided by survivors.