Duane DeForest Raver Jr.

Duane D Raver Jr, 94 of Garner , NC passed from this life to the next on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at home while being lovingly attended by his wife and daughters. He was where he wanted to be at the end in his own bedroom with the cardinals, chickadees, and many other birds he loved to paint flitting around in the trees outside his window.

Duane was born in Newton, Iowa on May 4, 1927, the only child of Duane Raver Sr. and Mabel Raver who proceeded him in death. His parents were long time outdoor enthusiasts, and he inherited a lifelong love of the outdoors from them. The family moved to Ames, IA where he produced his first book of fish illustrations titled “Sketches of American Game Fish” in 1943.

He graduated from Ames, Iowa High School in 1945. Following high school, he attended Iowa State College (now university), where he received a degree in Fishery Biology in 1949.

Duane was offered a position with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission and moved south to start his new job in February of 1950. In his role with the newly created commission, he helped develop the fisheries division with division chief Harry Cornell. His second role with the commission was coordinator of Dingell-Johnson Act funds. While with the Commission’s fisheries division and as Dingell-Johnson coordinator Duane continued to pursue his artistic talent while working many hours on fish management all over the state.

In 1960 Duane transferred to the Commission’s Education Division and joined the staff of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine. For the next 19 years Duane wore many hats with the magazine including editor, but he will be most remembered for the numerous, (it seems like hundreds) of illustrations he did for the magazine. During this period, he also did many illustrations for other state wildlife departments and his illustrations can still be seen on fish posters from Iowa to Florida.

Duane retired from the Commission in 1979 to continue his passion for creating beautiful and detailed wildlife art. In the fall of 1979, he joined the “Village of Yesteryear” at the NC State Fair where he and his wife Mary manned his booth every fall for 35 years. It was while at the village he became well known to generations of North Carolinians who stopped by to talk, watch Duane paint, and purchase his original artwork. He also enjoyed regaling visitors to his home and studio with tales of his work with the Wildlife Commission, and it could be said that he “talked the ears off” of many friends and colleagues. Even in his years of declining health Duane continued producing art, and was working on a fish illustration on a boat paddle four days before he passed.

Duane was honored with many awards over the years for his contribution to wildlife education and his support for wildlife conservation organizations. These awards included several NC Wildlife Federation “Artist of the Year” awards and induction into their “Hall of Fame.” He also received North Carolinas highest civilian honor, “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.”

Duane is survived by his wife of 68 years Mary, son Duane Raver III (Cathy) of Lexington, NC, daughters Diane Braswell (Chip) of Garner, NC, Jean Raver of Garner, granddaughters Melissa Travers (Kevin), Shelby Growe (Anthony), grandson Lewis Braswell (Izah) and great-grandsons Maxton Growe and Leo Braswell.

The family would like to thank the excellent care he received from Heartland Hospice, especially his caregivers Shaleen and Tommie.

A funeral service to celebrate Duane’s life will be held at Horne Memorial United Methodist Church in Clayton, NC on February 20 at 2PM with the Reverend Tim Russell presiding. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the Horne Memorial UMC organ fund, Horne Memorial UMC, PO Box 475, Clayton, NC 27528. Arrangements by McLaurin Funeral Home where online memories and condolences can be made.