Duane L. Triplett

Longtime Anchorage resident Duane L. Triplett, 65, died Jan. 7, 2009, following a fire at his home.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cornerstone Church of God, 10431 Brayton Drive, near the corner of O'Malley Road and New Seward Highway. After the service, a reception with refreshments will be held at the chapel.
Duane L. Triplett, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, was born March 12, 1944, to Dale W. Triplett and Verla Triplett Bogue in Redding, Calif. Upon graduation from Armijo High School in Fairfield, Calif., he drove a pickup, as part of a convoy of family vehicles, to Alaska in 1961.
Duane worked as a chainsaw operator, felling trees at the corner of Dimond Boulevard and Old Seward Highway, and as a car jockey for Alaska Sales & Service at Third Avenue and E Street.
He left Alaska to return to California to be near his high school sweetheart, Colleen, who was in college working toward her teacher's degree. He joined the Army Reserves while there and served for six years. Upon Colleen's graduation from college, they were married and left California for Alaska to seek their fortune.
Duane's salesmanship was recognized while managing the camera department at Safeway Super S drugstore at Ninth Avenue and Gambell Street. He later accepted a position with KTVA television as an account executive, later moving on to KTUU television and subsequently to KHAR television, now known as KIMO TV. After setting several sales records as account executive, he was promoted to sales manager, general sales manager and eventually to president of KIMO TV. He expanded the company to become Alaska Television Network, the first and only statewide television network, adding stations in Fairbanks and Juneau.
He was befriended by mayors, governors and business owners alike. His business advice and expertise were sought by many in the business and political world.
After retiring from the television industry, he continued to help others as a business consultant and arbitration mediator.
He always had time for his friends and family in whatever capacity he could help. He was passionate about loyalty, honesty and compassion toward his fellow man. He remained loyal to his humble origins as a down-to-earth people person. He never met a stranger.
Duane is survived by his bride of 43 years, Colleen; his daughter, Jenifer; son, Travis; son-in-law, Eugene; daughter-in-law, Sara; brother, Kenneth; stepbrothers, Richard and Larry Bogue; aunt, Phyllis Caffrey; uncle, Veron Robinson; cousins, Tina, Linda, Holly and John Krause; nieces, Christina and Melissa; and nephews, Matthew and Timothy. Duane derived extreme pleasure from his grandchildren: Maryah, Naomi, Alli, Robert, Wyatt, Gavin, Jessiann and Payton.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother and stepfather, Ray E. Bogue.
Contributions to the family may be made at any branch of Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, account No. 1438281.