Duane Latta

Duane Latta passed from this life and into the arms of Jesus on January 21, 2024, at Roaring River Health and Rehabilitation in Cassville, Missouri.
Duane John Latta, 86, was born January 26, 1937 in Harper, Kansas to Frank Milton Latta and Verna Ruth (Wuthnow) Latta. He grew up on a ranch near Harper, Kansas and went through school in the Harper School System. He graduated Valedictorian of his 8th grade class and graduated from Harper High School in 1955. He was very active in both 4H and FFA during his school years. He was a member of the Kansas Author's Club from a story he wrote while he was in high school.
He married Alyce Sue (Bauman) on June 15, 1958, at Chicaskia Baptist Church near Harper, Kansas.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years; two sons, Rick Latta and wife Mary of Big Fork, Montana and Randy Latta of Golden, Colorado; one sister, Velda Geller of Kenai, Alaska; one brother, Gary Latta and wife Carol of Whitehall, Montana; Four grandchildren, Meghan Roetto and husband Nathan of Republic, Missouri, Ashley Crowther and husband Neil of Ashburn, Virginia, Caitlin Latta of Golden, Colorado and Austin Latta of Midland, Texas; three great grandchildren, Jenova Roetto, Avalee Roetto and Adelene Crowther.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Justin Latta; one brother-in-law, Gene Geller; and one nephew, Mike Geller.
He worked in the Kansas oil fields and for George C Christopher Steel in Wichita, Kansas until 1973, when they moved to Kenai, Alaska. There he worked for Union Oil of California for 20 years in a chemical plant which made ammonia fertilizer out of natural gas. While in Alaska he became very active in shooting trap competitively. He and his wife ran the trap range at Snowshoe Gun Club for 8 years. He was on both the PITA State Board of Directors and the ATA State Board of Directors for Alaska. Living in Alaska also provided great opportunities to pursue his passion for fishing and hunting.
In August of 1992 he retired from Unocal, and they settled for their retirement years in Cassville, Missouri. There he worked for Tim Homesley at Tim's Fly Shop for 18 years, until in 2015, he was forced to retire from there due to health issues. Once fully retired, he developed a passion and skills for woodworking, especially for making crafts with his scroll saw.
He was a member of Arnhart Baptist Church and loved his church and church family very much. Duane had a gift for making everyone he met feel like they were a part of his family. If you had the blessing to know him in your life, he loved having you as a part of his life journey.
Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Arnhart Baptist Church in Purdy, Missouri under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville, Missouri. Pastor Jason Mackey and Rick Latta will conduct the services.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Arnhart Baptist Church in Purdy, Missouri.