Launer Duane Tullis

Launer Duane Tullis, 68 of Nampa, Idaho passed away peacefully with his family beside him on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006 after a long, courageous battle against cancer. Duane was born on a rainy night at home in Nampa, Idaho on Oct. 15, 1938 to Edwin James and Crissie Elise Tullis. He was the seventh child of 11 children having five brothers and five sisters. The family lived in Homedale, Idaho near the Oregon Idaho State Line Store. His education began in a small country school nearby. He attended Sunny Ridge School in Nampa and later moved to Marsing, Idaho where he attended high school. At the age of 17, in 1956, he joined the Navy and completed his high school education. He then took up the study for instrument technician. He served as an ordinanceman on the USS Hancock, an aircraft carrier, and was honorably discharged in 1959. After his service to his country, he went to work for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle as a lead man. During a vacation back home he met Almeda Gibbens in May of 1961. They were married a month later on June 10 in the Marsing LDS. Church. Together they traveled while Duane worked for Hughes Aircraft putting in Minuteman missiles in Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Missouri. During this time their first daughter , Kimber Lea was born in May of 1962 in Nampa´s Mercy Hospital. In June of 1964 their son, Tye Damon was born, also at Mercy Hospital in Nampa. Duane worked as a gunsmith in Phoenix, Ariz. from 1964 until he became employed by E.G. & G. in Las Vegas, Nev., doing underground testing. Two years later they moved to Richland, Wash. Duane worked there for four years at the Hanford Reactor. Their second daughter, Karin Elise was born in Kennewick Hospital. While in Richland, Duane studied law but decided not to move his children to California where he could complete his law exams. In 1971 the family moved back to Idaho, living on a small farm with Duane being self-employed, first in TV repair and sales and finally as an electrical contractor. Duane was injured in 1972 while helping hunt down a fugitive from justice in the mountains above Tamarack, Idaho. He was ambushed, a gun battle ensued and Duane was shot in the face with a 30-30 rifle. Although he had life threatening wounds, Duane put enough pressure on this man, making him jam up his gun. Shortly thereafter, the man was apprehended safely by other deputies. Duane ran off the mountain and they rushed him to McCall where he was stabilized and then flown by small aircraft to a Boise hospital thanks to a very brave pilot and a doctor risking their lives flying in a severe thunder storm. He recently had been trying to locate these two men and their families to pay tribute for their bravery. Duane was preceded in death by two daughters, Kim and Karin, his parents, two brothers and a sister. He is survived by his son, Tye Damon of Boise; a grandson, Zachery Damon and his fiance, Natalie Corbett, of Mesa College, Grand Junction, Colorado; grandson, Braden Tye of Boise, who attends Timberline High School; granddaughter, Carissa KariLea of Boise who attends Liberty Elementary School; a daughter-in-law, Alta Tullis of Boise; three brothers, four sisters and loving friend, Almeda of Nampa. Duane was a member of the NRA and Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge of Caldwell. He had his private pilot license and was in the process of building his own airplane. He was an avid collector and had an expert knowledge of the Civil War and had traveled to many battlefield sites. He had a thirst for knowledge and was usually found in his evening chair with a book open or a yellow legal pad with calculator in hand. A very well deserved peaceful nap usually followed. Duane was an expert gunsmith, genius rated at mechanics, hunter, fisherman, computer programmer and lastly was studying horse training. To his family he was ÒPoppy,Ó a name given to him by his first grandson, Zachery. He leaves memories of humor around the campfire on big family fishing and hunting trips; fighting over Yvonnes chocolate cake with his brother, Ed; memories of an everlasting fear of Sasquatch in his grandsons, properly tying your tie with his son and grandsons, curling up in his chair for a nap with his granddaughter, twinkling blue eyes, mischievous smile, warm hugs for man, woman or child, leather suspenders, strong moral codes, cleanliness, undying faith and no fear of death. During the last seven months, Almeda cared for him. They traveled, reminisced, laughed, cried and planned. This was the richest time of their lives together. Hugs and kisses ÒPoppyÓ, well see you later. Funeral services will be held at the LDS Chapel at Black Cat Rd. and Kuna Rd. at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6. Interment will follow at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa. The family will receive friends Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Dakan Funeral Chapel, 504 S. Kimball Avenue, in Caldwell.