Marveline Martha Pira

Duane Travis Pira and Marveline Martha Pira (also lovingly known as Doodle and Sis), both 92 years of age, passed away this summer in Canyon Lake, TX surrounded by friends and family. Duane Pira passed on July 4th, 2015 and was soon followed by his wife of nearly 70 years, Marveline Pira, on September 15, 2015.

Duane was born in Houston, TX to David and Edith (Ehrlund) Pira on February 9th, 1923 and a mere five months later his wife Marveline was born to Martin and Josephine (Gregersen) Delano in Nottowa, TX. Duane enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 19 and dutifully served his country in the Pacific during World War II. Fate would eventually unite Duane and Marveline in Highlands, TX where they met and soon married on November 16, 1945, shortly after Duane’s return from his tour of duty.

Duane and Marveline lived with their two children in Highlands, TX where he worked as a carpenter at the Baytown Exxon refinery and she kept the home. After Duane’s retirement from Exxon in 1978, the couple moved to Coldspring, TX where they built their own home and settled into an active lifestyle that included daily gardening as well as regular hunting, and fishing. The pair remained in Coldspring for several years until they moved one final time to Canyon Lake, TX in 2012.

Duane and Marveline were preceded in death by their parents and siblings and are survived by their son, Larry Pira of Livingston, TX, their daughter and son-in-law, Lavois and Jody Guffey of Canyon Lake, TX as well as three grandchildren (Katie Pira of Kingwood, TX, Randy Lofton of San Antonio, TX and Ryan Wilson of Bryan, TX) and three great-grandchildren (Lukas Lofton, Felicia Wilson and Atticus Wilson).

Because Duane and Marveline so loved the outdoors, a graveside service will be held on Friday September 18th, 2015 at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8624 Garth Rd., Baytown, TX 77521. Per their last wishes, Duane was cremated and his ashes will be laid to rest with his beloved wife. An open casket viewing for Marveline will be held graveside at 1:30pm with the service to follow at 2:00pm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations can be made online at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.