Duane Kevin Toney
Dec. 1, 1970 – Feb. 11, 2015
 
It was nearly winter of 1970 when a miracle of life blessed the Toney and Williams families of El Sobrante, Calif.

Duane Kevin Toney was born in San Pablo, Calif., on Dec. 1 to parents Susan Carol Toney and Franklin Anderson Toney Sr., with older brother (late) Franklin Anderson Toney Jr. and big sister Lynette Sue Toney eager to greet him and take good care of him, along with grandparents Ernest and Adeline Williams, and Floyd and Grace Toney.

He arrived home just short of Christmas day – a real present for the whole family, including aunts Loretta and Nancy Williams, with whom he would share his first home.

Also there to greet him was numerous aunts and uncles: Jay and Pat Pirtle, Don and Pauline Williams, Ralph and Yvonne Williams, Bob and Louise Caver, Chris and Betty Holman, Jim and Pat Toney, and Phyllis Fruzza-Phillips, plus many cousins as well.

When Duane was just a year old, he and his family moved to Clearlake Oaks, Calif. It was there that he was raised by his parents Jim and Sue Burton, along with siblings Frankie and Lynette, as well as step-brother Tony Burton.

Duane attended East Lake School, Lower Lake Junior High and finally Lower Lake High School, where he was a graduate of the Class of 1989.

Nearly two decades ago Duane met the love of his life – his best friend and life partner Leticia Rodriguez, to whom he would remain married for the next 18 years.

Together they raised four children: Clorisse, Michael, Angelina and Susan. Further blessed, they have two granddaughters: Zoe Harper and Ellie Mae.

Duane lived with purpose and passion. Duane’s personality was larger than life – and he lived his life accordingly. He fought a great fight while also living a rich life full of love, laughter and joy.

Service's will be in Woodland at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19.

There will a memorial service at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, located at Highway 20 and Highway 53.