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BORN
1948
DIED
2022
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Richard Duxbury Obituary
Richard Allen Duxbury, 74
January 31, 1948-April 17, 2022
On the evening of April 17, 2022 Richard "Rich" Allen Duxbury passed away at the Southwestern Montana Veterans Home in Butte, Montana. Rich was born January 31, 1948 to Kenny and Elsie (Zimmerman) Duxbury in Billings. He was raised on a ranch near Malta with his three siblings. In September 1968 he joined the Army and spent time in Special Forces in Vietnam. He was proud of his military service. In 1971 he married Cindy Miller in Anaconda and his son, Kenneth, was born in 1973. He moved to Butte in 1985 and worked for AWARE and retired from the Montana State Prison as a prison guard. He married Jacqueline Beardslee on September 5, 1998 and they spent many happy hours exploring southwestern Montana on their horses, camping as they went. They also enjoyed time riding at the Briggs Ranch Arena in Whitehall. They owned and operated the Red Bear Mountain Trading Post in Virginia City, Montana selling products that they made. Rich was a member of Back Country Horsemen, Briggs Ranch Arena and the American Legion.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents Kenny and Elsie and his wife, Jacqueline. He is survived by his son, Ken, his sisters Lorraine and Idealle, his brother Bruce Duxbury and niece Leanna Duxbury (Sam) and nephew Ryan (Nicole) Duxbury. He will be missed by all, including his special friends Amanda Ellwein, Linda Rosin, Bill Opie, Dean and Wendy Briggs, and his faithful dog, Ollie.
There will be a Remembrance of Life for Rich and Jacqueline at 11 AM on June 12, 2022, at the Briggs Ranch Arena, 65 Kountz Rd, Whitehall, MT. A potluck reception will follow the service. A special thanks to the staff of the Veterans Home for their loving care of Rich in the last few weeks of his life.
Please visit www.axelsonfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Rich.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Duxbury
Sponsored by Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services.
6 Entries
Randy Winstead
April 18, 2024
I had the honor of working with Rich at AWARE. He was wonderful with the kids and staff too. I miss you my friend.
Walt Ferguson aka Fergie and Richard Duxbury
August 16, 2022
Richard Duxbury, Vietnam 1970
August 16, 2022
Walt Ferguson aka: Fergie
August 16, 2022
During 1970-71 I served with Rich in the 1st Platoon, A Troop 4/12 Cavalry in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. We always called him Duxbury. He drove one of three Sheridan tanks in our platoon and manned the main gun for a time. He was a no-nonsense guy, straightforward, a problem solver, and well respected by his fellow soldiers. I remember him carrying that M3A1 45 cal. grease gun as he would hop out of the driver´s hatch smoking a cigar. He rode in one of three Sheridan tanks in the Platoon. Routinely, while on patrol, Duxbury´s tank would take the lead and thus be more likely to hit a mine or by rocket-propelled grenades. He knew the risks and did his job well; he was a good man, a brave man. Long Live the Cav! http://www.atroop412cav.com/
The time passed by, and on June 24, 2021, we met again after 41 years. We shared some stories about our lives after Vietnam and had more than a few laughs. He had a dry sense of humor too. A kindred spirit. While we enjoyed our short visit, it was clear, that Rich loved his family and was still grieving from the loss of his dear wife Jacqueline less than a year earlier while struggling with his health.
God Bless you, Duxbury.
Randy Winstead
April 28, 2022
I was honored to work with Rich at AWARE. He was a good and kind man. He put the kids' needs above his own. Ride on Rich. You will be missed my brother.
Steve Connole
April 24, 2022
Rich and I were in the Army together. He shared stories of his life in the military and hunting in Montana. Rich was a good man and always took the time to visit whenever we crossed paths. I considered him a friend and he will be missed. God rest your soul my friend!
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