Duane Brassette

1952 - 2020

Duane Joseph Brassette, 67, a resident of Lake Charles, La. passed from this life on Sept. 7, 2020. He was born in New Orleans on Oct. 28, 1952 to Truitt Brassette and Mercedes Dufour Brassette.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Angelia David Brassette and his three daughters: Agatha Canales (Mike); Amy McKeon (Sean); and Alice Brumby (Turner).
Those also left to treasure his memory are his six grandsons: Griffin and Tristan Canales; Connor and Owen McKeon; and Beckett and Hayes Brumby; a brother, Jon Brassette and sister-in-law Dianna Brassette; and a sister, Edith Brassette of Fayetteville, Ark.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Phyllis Brassette.
Duane owned Brassette Tree Service for 22 years and continued until his death as a licensed consulting arborist. For the past five years Duane was an avid organic gardener, providing year-round organic vegetables for family, neighbors, and friends.
Duane invented and held patents on the Helferstout remote-controlled, self-loading dump truck and on the Utilitray, a clamp-on, pipeline technician's instrument tray. He also invented the Fomentek Hot/Cold Water Bag and operated the business for 33 years. After spending a summer in Montana in 2000, he fell in love with the mountains and history of Glacier National Park. He returned the next summer as a tour guide in the park, driving the historical 1939 tour bus. He returned home and began Open Top Bus Company, becoming the manufacturer and wholesaler of the Glacier Park and Yellowstone Park historical 1939 tour bus toy replicas to the national park vendors. Duane often said, "You only get one life; this is not a dress rehearsal." He lived life with an enthusiasm few people possess. He was a critical thinker, a craftsman, and a problem solver. He had every tool known to man and invented some that no one thought of. He always had multiple projects underway in his shop and much knowledge to share. He explained everything in great detail, assuming everyone was as curious as he was. He wasn't just a talker, but a passionate listener, too. He asked a lot of questions, truly interested in others' lives and their unique jobs, projects and processes. He sought knowledge in all that he did and common ground with everyone he encountered. He loved having his iPhone nearby, where the knowledge of the universe was a few touches away and always carved out time for long conversations with friends and family. He loved and cared deeply.
Through the years the capacity to feel so deeply had brought on periods of situational depression but he always kicked and swam his way to the surface. He often reminded people in crisis that "tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life." On Labor Day Duane could not envision his tomorrow. Crushed by Hurricane Laura, the acute pain and symptoms of heat stroke went undiagnosed, as they were mistaken for the recent onset of unmedicated depression. His final decision in this one sacred life has left us all devasted. We mourn him and the loss of all the tomorrows he will not share with us.
Given the conditions of COVID and the devastation in Lake Charles from Hurricane Laura at the time of his death, he was cremated. A memorial service could not be held at that time. Family and friends will join together to celebrate his life with an announcement on a later date.