Duane Wagner Nead

Duane Wagner Nead was born on July 29, 1953, at Long Beach Community Hospital—the second son and second child born to Daniel and Martha Wagner Nead. Because family was everything to him, he lived in Long Beach for all 73 years of his life.

Although he traveled to many states throughout his life, he always returned to the city where he grew up. His major wish was to visit as many states as possible, as he found our country’s history fascinating—particularly from the late 1800s through the present. He also traveled to Canada and Mexico, appreciating the profound impact neighboring nations had on American history.

Duane’s educational journey began at Burbank Elementary School.

For his junior high school years, he attended Jefferson Junior High, where he began his journey as a band member. It was also at Jefferson where he excelled in shop class and got his first taste of work experience serving in the school cafeteria and snack shop during lunches.

He then attended Woodrow Wilson High School, continuing his passion for music by playing the baritone and euphonium in both marching and concert bands. Because few students played the euphonium, Duane was invited to march with the Long Beach All-District High School Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade all three years he attended Wilson. He also continued taking shop classes, fueled by a lifelong passion for cars.

After high school, Duane took classes at Long Beach City College and rounded out his education by earning his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

Duane purchased his first Model A while still in high school. This spark grew into over 50 years of active membership in the national Model A Restorers Club (MARC) and its local chapter. He served in many elected positions over the decades, though his favorite was Tour Director. In that role, he planned monthly excursions to car museums, the Getty Museum, and trips to Solvang and other scenic spots. In one particularly memorable adventure, Duane and several friends from the local chapter drove their Model As all the way to Vancouver, Canada.

In March of 1975, Duane’s sister, Maryellen, married her husband, Martin Salazar. As a close friend of Maryellen, Joan attended both the wedding and the intimate reception at the Nead family home. It was at this event that Duane asked Joan, “If I were to ask you to go out, would you?” Three weeks later, while driving to a Model A club meeting, Duane proposed. Joan said yes on the spot, though later that evening she playfully made him propose again in the more romantic setting of El Dorado Park. Thus began their life together: 60 years of knowing each other—9 years as frienemies and 51 years as two halves making a whole.

Duane and Joan exchanged their wedding vows on September 27, 1975. It was a day filled with love, family and friends.

In 1978, Duane took on the most important role a man can when his daughter, Rachel, was born. While Duane was not an overly demonstrative man, Joan recalls how his eyes lit up with pure love and wonder when he first saw Rachel. Joan knew right then he was going to be a wonderful father.

Duane joined the Masonic Fraternity a few years after marrying Joan, beginning over 40 years of active service across various fraternal organizations. He received an extraordinary compliment when a head coach noted that his Rod work—a vital part of Masonic degree work—was among the best he had ever seen, and Duane was asked to help instruct other officers. For his unwavering dedication, Duane received the highest honor a Lodge can bestow: the Hiram Award. Duane loved Masonry and gave 110% to the fraternity for as long as he could.

During the 1994-1995 term, Duane served as Pharaoh of the Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots, traveling across California for visitations. During the 1996–1997 term, Rachel was appointed Grand Historian and Grand Representative to Virginia and South Carolina for the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in California. In these offices, Duane and “Grandie” Rachel traveled together to the Grand Assemblies of Virginia and South Carolina, where both received heartwarming accolades for their service.

Throughout his career, Duane brought a strong work ethic to a variety of roles: from gas station attendant to facility supervisor for the Queen Mary energy plant, plant supervisor at Conexant, and ultimately retiring from his position as maintenance operator at Jordan High School in Long Beach.

Outside of work and fraternal life, Duane embraced a wide range of hobbies: reading; photography; weekend dirt-biking trips with friends; day trips to target shoot in the desert; watching hockey and NASCAR; and enjoying music of every kind—from classical to rock, Cajun to Zydeco, and Celtic to country. You name it, he loved it.

In the many condolences Joan has received, two sentiments stand out above all: that Duane was always there the moment anyone needed help, and that he carried a wonderful, easy going presence. Joan attributes this to his genuine happiness and sense of humor—believing nothing was ever so serious that a good laugh couldn't relieve the stress.

Duane is survived by his beloved wife, Roberta “Joan” (Lucas) Nead; daughter, Rachel Nead; brothers, Daniel (Nancy) and David (Kate); sister, Maryellen (Martin); as well as many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, Masonic brothers, and dear friends.