Vity Frances "Duke" Kazlauskas

Vity Frances "Duke" Kazlauskas Vity Frances "Duke" Kazlauskas, age 88, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2009 in Astoria, Oregon. Born at home to Magdalena (Margaret) and Frank Kazlauskas on June 15, 1921 in Waterbury, Connecticut, he was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William F. Kazlauskas and an infant brother. He is survived by his wife of 21 years Dian, former wife; Anne C. Manzer, and children; William P. Kazlauskas, Leonard J. Kazlauskas, Suzanne E. Clancy of Mesa, Arizona and 9 grandchildren. Duke enrolled as a student at the University of Maryland in 1940, while working as a "soda jerk" at night. Enlisting in the Army and being honorably discharged in 1943, he graduated from the University of Maryland in 1947 with a BA in English. After working as a newspaper reporter and a school teacher he joined the Federal Government in the early 1950's becoming a computer programmer in 1956 and moving to Battle Creek in 1961. While working at the Federal Center in Battle Creek for the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Service Center, he was involved with programming, cataloging, and managing availability of the various inventories owned by the Department of Defense. He retired in 1981, moving to San Diego, California, then Phoenix, Arizona before settling in Astoria Oregon. Duke's interests included playing and watching golf, baseball, softball, the stock market, reading, amateur writing, painting, duckpin and 10 pin bowling, He was a student of the Civil War, World War II, enjoyed big band music, New Orleans Jazz and also liked cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. Funeral services are being handled by Caldwell's Luce-Layton in Astoria Oregon, with final interment in Portland Oregon.