Carl 'Eldon' Fletcher Duey

Carl Eldon Fletcher Duey, known affectionately as “Granddad” by both family and friends, slipped peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, August 25, 2013, at the age of 86 years, 10 months, and 15 days. He was born on October 10, 1926, in Graham, Missouri, and was the second born son of George Commodore and Bessie Lily (Fletcher) Duey. He was greeted by his older brother Junior and would later welcome brothers Morris, Bill, and Don. Eldon attended grade school at Post Oak and Astoria near Graff, Missouri and graduated from Mountain Grove High School with the class of 1945. He was drafted by the army during his senior year and received a deferment to finish high school. Eldon was sent to Camp Walters, Texas, for basic training and then to Fort Benning, Georgia, for Officer Training School and served in the motor pool.


When Eldon was discharged in the fall of 1946, he went to work at the Brown Shoe Factory in Mountain Grove. While employed there as a cutter, he met and married the love of his life, Lena Bell Pool, on August 10, 1947. They were married 66 years and five children were born to this union. Lena Bell and Eldon shared a love for children and opened their home to foster care. They went on to adopt four of the children they fostered.


In 1948, Eldon and Lena Bell moved to Kansas City in order for Eldon to take advantage of the GI Bill and attend mechanic school. When they returned to Mountain Grove in 1949, Eldon went to work at M and G Motors and in 1953 he opened Duey Generator which he operated for 55 years. He was known for miles around as a master mechanic who could solve any mechanical problem.


In 1958, Eldon was led to the Lord by Reverend Malcolm Eudaley while working under the hood of a car he was repairing. He was a faithful member of Faith Community Church of the Nazarene and his faith in God became the focus of his life and future decisions were influenced by this faith. He was a church board member, Sunday School teacher, and vacation bible school worker.


Eldon knew the value of education, and was interested in the schools in his community. This moved him to serve for several years on the Mountain Grove school board.


Eldon sacrificially gave of himself and was an amazing provider for his large family. His children knew they could always trust his wise advice and guidance. He was their encourager when times were tough and always challenged them to do their best.


He was a tenderhearted person, kind and compassionate, loving his family deeply. He was a good husband, a loving father, and a wonderful grandfather. He also had a love for gardening and enjoyed sharing his bounty with family and friends.


Eldon was preceded in death by his wife, Lena Bell, his parents, his brother Morris, and a son, William Jay. He is survived by his children Carl and Judi Duey of Bethany, Oklahoma; George and Elaine Duey of Mountain Grove, Missouri; Gay and Sam Hunsaker of Saint Peters, Missouri; Fay and Larry Gossen of Springfield, Missouri; Kay and Lance Wright of Olathe, Kansas; Robert and Kim Duey of Peculiar, Missouri; Jim Duey of Leawood, Kansas; and Anne and Dan Fellers of Mountain Grove, Missouri; 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; and brothers Junior and Wilma Duey of Mountain Grove, Missouri; Bill and Jerre Duey of Raytown, Missouri; Don Duey of Sierra Vista, Arizona; sister-in-law Wilma Duey of Rogersville, Missouri; and a host of other relatives, friends, and church family.

Visitation:
Visitation

Memorial Contributions:
Faith Community Church of the Nazarene baptistery fund in c/o the funeral home.