Duane Bounds

Duane Bounds passed away on May 26, 2025. He was born in Knoxville, TN on April 27, 1950, to Jack and Dorothy Bounds. Duane was the oldest brother in a family of two sisters and three brothers. According to his mom, Duane was born with an insatiable curiosity, which he fulfilled through a lifetime of adventures, his love of reading, and a fearless pursuit of his many interests.

Duane became an entrepreneur at a young age as owner of a dive shop. Following that, he traveled with a dolphin show, then joined the U.S. Navy where he was awarded the American Spirit Award in boot camp. This was an award for the display of outstanding qualities of leadership best expressing the American spirit: honor, initiative, loyalty, and high example to comrades in arms. He went on to serve on nuclear submarines and received a commendation for repairing a submarine while at sea. After the Navy, Duane, who loved and appreciated God's beautiful creation, backpacked across Scotland, and after coming back to the states, backpacked in several state parks, including the Grand Canyon.

His next adventure was serving as captain of a dive boat in the Bahamas for several years where he met Ellie, who was to become his wife of 39 years. After coming back to the Smoky Mountains, Duane became the owner of a sawmill and of Kirby Log Homes. He built many homes around the area and the Townsend Visitor Center.

Duane had the mind of an engineer and the soul of an artist. A master machinist, he loved nothing more than bringing back an out-of-commission piece of machinery by crafting a replacement part. Local businesses often called upon him when unable to find an obscure or obsolete part.

Duane lived out his Christian faith through many quiet acts of kindness and helping family and friends multiple times by "pulling the ox out of the ditch" through his knowledge of how to fix various equipment and having the tools available to do so. Nothing was ever too difficult, too time-consuming, or too far to drive when it came to helping someone out of a tough situation.

His vast knowledge made him a favorite resource to his family and friends long before Google. If he didn't know how to do something, he would figure it out. He had many hobbies, including model trains, clocks (including how to build them), and woodworking. His family and friends benefited from many beautiful pieces that Duane crafted from solid walnut, cherry, and other woods. An excellent cook, Duane loved cooking for friends. He was famous for his lasagna, spinach maria, and jambalaya. On one of our family trips to Florida, he even killed a rattlesnake and cooked it.

Gifted with a beautiful bass voice, Duane carried his love for music throughout his life, including in High School, where he acted in several musicals, including playing the King in The King and I, and Mr. Lundie in Brigadoon. Duane went on to study music at The University of Tennessee, and later in life served as Interim Minister of Music at both Baptist and Methodist churches. He sang in the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus, Sevier County Choral Society (where he sometimes directed), the Knoxville Men's Barbershop Quartet, and Madrigal Singers. He also joined in the singing of over 30 cantatas with the choir of First Baptist Church Oak Ridge where his brother Tim Bounds serves as Minister of Music. His family loved the addition of his beautiful voice to family hymn sings following family dinners and hearing him sing "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" during the Christmas season.

Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Dot Bounds; brother, Mark Bounds; sister, Jackie Roach and brother-in-law, Rick Phelps, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Ellen "Ellie" Murphey; sister, Sylvia Phelps; brother, Timothy "Tim" (Charlotte) Bounds; sister-in-law, Anne Coleman; brother-in-law, Ray Roach; sister-in-law, Susan Stewart (Court Walters); nieces, Kara (John) Davis, Karma (Mark) Scardino, Ashleigh (Ryan) Lucas, Alecia (Mike) Durocher; nephews, Michael (Rachel) Phelps, Rick Phelps, III; several great-nieces and nephews, and many cousins

Duane's family wishes to thank family friend Sara Roberts for her ongoing love, care and support of Duane during his illness, and her ongoing support of our family.

To honor Duane's request, there will be no formal service. Instead, as he requested, family will gather for a dinner where we will tell stories of Duane and sing hymns, taking comfort in the knowledge that because of our Savior Jesus, we will meet again. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.