Duane L. Lods

Duane Lyle Lods, 85, died Monday, October 18, 2021, surrounded by his family. Born July 2, 1936, in Lafayette, Indiana to Elsie and Harvey Lods. A life long resident of Lafayette, Duane graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1954. He was a member of the high school band and the tennis team.

He attended Purdue University from 1954-1955 and joined the U.S. Army in 1957 and attended the University of Maryland while in the service. He was an enlisted soldier in the US Third Infantry Division Band from 1957-1960, and spent two years stationed in Wurzberg, Germany.

Duane married his high school sweetheart Joan Brooks Lods on December 28, 1957 and after living in Germany moved back to Lafayette with their first born son Mark Lods. Duane is survived by his wife Joan Lods and his four children, Mark (Beth) Lods, Christopher Lods, Kathleen Lods (Randy) Smith, and Angela Lods (Ted) Gelov. Duane and Joan moved to Carmel, Indiana in 2001 and are proud of all their 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Duane and Joan celebrated their 63rd year of marriage last December.

Duane was an accomplished musician. He was Solo Chair Clarinetist at Jefferson HS and 1st Chair, 1st Clarinet in the Purdue Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He played the saxophone, clarinet, and flute professionally on tour with the his own dance band, "The Noteables", and performed as a musician with many famous bands from 1960-1980.

He entered a professional business life in 1960 as an agent for the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and became the Administrative Assistant of the Life Insurance Marketing Institute until 1967 where he spent the rest of his career as a Registered Representative with the Prudential Insurance Company until he retired in 1995.

Aside from music Duane was an avid tennis player playing 2-3 days per week. Duane played competitive tennis starting in High School, on his US Army team while in Germany, competed and won medals at the Senior Games, and continued to play well into his later years. Even as recent as this year Duane was on the courts 2 times per week. He played in many local and national tournaments and was a member of the Lafayette Tennis Club and the Carmel Racquet Club.

Duane loved music, sports, fine wine and food, and especially family. Duane was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed the small things and always experienced life to its fullest. He loved to root for Purdue in football and basketball, loved to travel, especially to Florida with Joan and enjoy the beach and to be certain a tennis court was always within close reach. Most of all, Duane would want to be remembered by how he loved his family and always found ways to give everyone a laugh or joy to make them happy. He made friends easily and was always interested in other people and was a great conversationalist.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and brother Wesley.

Family and friends will gather on Sunday, October 24, 2021 for visitation between noon to 3pm at the Leppert Funeral Home, 900 N. Rangeline Road, Carmel Indiana 46032. On Monday, October 25, 2021 Family and Friends will gather for Mass at 11:30am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 14596 Oak Ridge Rd., Carmel, Indiana 46032 celebrated by Father Richard Doerr. Duane will be laid to rest at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Lafayette, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, Duane was an advocate for the unborn, memorial contributions can be made to the Women's Care Clinic, 4901 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 or visit https://www.womenscarecenter.org/