Robert Lynn Duzan

Robert Lynn Duzan, age 77, of Montgomery, Texas, formerly of Palestine, went to be with our Lord and Savior on the 2nd day of March 2020.  He was born on the 4th day of October 1942, in California, to Shultz Duzan and Lorene Dennis Duzan.

One of the most witty and generous men has died.  Robert Lynn Duzan was born in California during October of 1942 and passed away March 2, 2020 after 77 years.  The birth and death of this great man, however, is not nearly as relevant as the full life he lived and the lessons he imparted between those dates.

Robert was quickly rescued from his unfortunate Californian birthplace when his family, including 6 brothers and sisters,  settled in Odessa, an obscure western town in the Great State of Texas.  Once in the Lonestar State, he would never live anywhere else.  He was naturally gifted in both academics and athletics.  In fact, as a high school senior, he ushered in the inaugural class at Odessa Permian and scored the first points for the MOJO Varsity Basketball Team - sinking his patented hook shot from the free throw line.  

He went on to attend Abilene Christian College before it became the “University” we know today.  With a degree in English, he was always able to help others with spelling, sentence structuring, and was a virtual encyclopedia for the rules of grammar.  Word games and twisting of the English language is something he enjoyed throughout his life.   While attending college, he met Dorinda Dunagan and was able to convince her to marry him.  Together, they raised two children.  Kevin went to Texas A& M University, married Kathy Brooks and had three children, Nicholas, Sydney, and Taylor.  Shelly married Paul Roggendorff, became a Labor and Delivery Nurse, and also had three children, Chris, Ethan, and Allison.  During his time in El Paso, Odessa, and Round Rock, Robert taught High School students, started his own Residential Construction Business, became an Elementary and High School Principal, and caught a ton of catfish with his extended West Texas family at Lake Spence.

Robert’s middle years were filled with both blessings and sadness.  Robert married a wonderful woman named Sandy, while living in Odessa, and unfortunately lost her to a fight with cancer.  He then married Ruth, bought a bigger truck, and traveled extensively with her in their fifth wheel camper.  The two ended up putting down roots in Palestine before he unfortunately lost her as well.

Once settled, Robert placed his membership with the Crockett Road Church of Christ and developed many close relationships.  His devotion to the Church and its ministries, like the Stock Pot, was the central focus of his life.  While going to dinner with a group of friends, he met Lois, started a conversation, and the rest is history.  After marrying Lois, he was quickly adopted by her family including daughters Janice, Judy, and Jeanie.  This East Texas extended family provided great support for Robert as his daughter, Shelly, fought and eventually lost her battle with ovarian cancer.  The news of his own illness came  suddenly, with little warning.  Mercifully, he did not suffer through a long battle and was called home quickly - to be with the Lord and those who had gone on ahead of him. 

Robert would encourage all of us to keep our focus on the things that are eternal and trust in the Lord’s promises.  Instead of flowers for the funeral, he would be thrilled if you made a memory and took your family on an afternoon fishing trip or an outing to the zoo. He lived a full and happy life, and we are honored to celebrate the dash between the day he entered this world and the day he left it. We encourage you to do the same.

Funeral services to honor the life of Robert Duzan are to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 7th day of March 2020, at Crockett Road Church of Christ with Dan Manuel officiating. 

Honoring Mr. Duzan’s wishes, he will be cremated following the services.

Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family and share memories of Mr. Duzan from ten o’clock in the morning until the commencement of service on Saturday at Crockett Road Church of Christ.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Shelly Roggendorff; sisters, Lawanda Scott, Barbara Richardson, Sheila Evans; and brothers, Leslie Duzan and Wayne Duzan.

Mr. Duzan is survived by his loving wife Lois Duzan; son, Kevin Duzan and wife Kathy; son-in-law, Paul Roggendorff; step-children, Janice Broussard, Judy Barbre and husband Brian, Jeanie White; brother, Richard Duzan; grandchildren, Nicholas Duzan, Sydney Duzan, Taylor Duzan, Chris Roggendorff, Ethan Roggendorff, Allison Roggendorff; step-grandchildren, Trey Harman and wife Stephanie, Travis Broussard, Evann Broussard, Conner Broussard, Kelsey White and husband Matt, Shelby White, Kalley White; step-great-grandchildren, Luke and Madison.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be directed towards “Give Me The Bible” television program at 1717 Crockett Road, Palestine, Texas, 75801.

Funeral and cremation services for Robert Lynn Duzan are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Lynn Duzan, please visit our floral store.