Duane Clarence DeVoe

Major Duane Clarence DeVoe, USMC Retired, age 72, of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023 peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. Duane was born on December 1, 1950 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Arthur William and Viola Winifred DeVoe (nee Burnett), the youngest of five children. He graduated from Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida in 1968. He studied music education at Saint Leo College before marrying the former Shirley Ann Gaie and enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1971.

Duane was assigned to the Parris Island, South Carolina Marine Corps Band in June 1972. Upon completion of the Intermediate Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia in 1974, he became the first Marine Instrumental Instructor on the staff. In 1978, he became the Enlisted Band Leader at Iwakuni, Japan and helped facilitate a total band transfer to Okinawa, Japan. Selected for Warrant Officer in 1979, he proceeded to the Warrant Officer Basic Course at Quantico, Virginia followed by a tour of duty to the U. S. Marine Corps Field Military Music Section, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. Duane’s next assignment was as the assistant Band Officer at Quantico, Virginia in 1981, followed by promotion to First Lieutenant and appointment as Director of the Quantico Band. In July 1984, he was selected to Captain and returned to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. as the head of the Music Section. He assumed command of the Marine Element, Armed Forces School of Music in 1988, and subsequently became the first Marine Officer to be the Director of Training at the school. He was selected to Major as a Limited Duty Officer in May 1990 and received orders to command the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Band at Naval Support Activity New Orleans and later, Naval Air Station Belle Chase, Louisiana. In 1991, Duane graduated with honors from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Duane’s final assignment in the Marine Corps brought him back to command the Marine Element again at the Armed Forces School of Music in late 1994 until his retirement from the Marine Corps on June 30, 1997 after 26 and half years of service. His final permanent grade was as a Chief Warrant Officer 5, one of the first in the Marine Corps.

Duane continued to professionally pursue his love of music and music education following his retirement from the Marine Corps. He held positions for the Bay Youth Orchestras, coordinated the Virginia International Tattoo, was the Executive Director for the Tidewater Winds, and taught lessons at Mars Music. He began teaching band at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in 2003, and at the same time, taught instrumental music at Saint Matthew’s Catholic School, retiring June 5, 2019 after 15 years of service.

Duane played the Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Bassoon, Oboe, Guitar and Piano and gave private music lessons in saxophone, clarinet, piano and conducting. His goal was to teach instrumentalists the language of music in a way that allowed them to enjoy an art form that would help them grow in all aspects of their life.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Viola, his sister Donna Cauffman, and his daughter-in-law, Rhonda Jo DeVoe. He is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Shirley Ann of Virginia Beach; three sons: Michael Ray of Virginia Beach, Thomas Wayne of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Daniel Arthur and Emily of Burke, Virginia; three brothers: Dick and his wife Laverne of Huntsville, Alabama, Doug and his wife Shelia of New Brockton, Alabama, and Dean and his wife Bonnie of Stockbridge, Michigan; eight grandchildren: Holly, Megan, Morgan, Joshua, William, Amber, Matthew, and Leah and one great-grandson, Carter.

Duane was a devoted husband, a loving father, a Marine, a musician, an educator and truly a friend to all.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Duane to the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia.

There will be a Celebration of Life conducted at 10am, Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Woodlawn Funeral Home with a visitation one prior to visit and fellowship with the family. After the service, interment will immediately follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with the Marine Corps providing full military honors. Please offer your condolences to the family during this difficult time on the funeral home website.