Duane Calvert
Duane Weston Calvert, affectionately known as “Coach”, 88, of Apache Junction, AZ peacefully passed away March 7, 2022 at a Queen Creek, AZ hospital surrounded by his family. Duane donated his body to science. Services to celebrate his life will be held later this year.
Duane was born December 1, 1933 in Sioux City to Earl and Helen Calvert. He attended East High School in Sioux City and graduated from Westmar College in LeMars. He then served in the U.S. Army.
He married Julia Annette Ullrich in Salix December 28, 1957. They were blessed with seven children.
Duane was known as a legendary teacher and football coach in Iowa high schools for 20 years. He started at Emmetsburg Catholic, then grew in his role at Iowa City Regina, Fort Dodge St. Edmonds, Waukon and concluded his coaching career at Sioux City West. He then transitioned into a successful business career building tracks and sports facilities for high schools and colleges until he retired in Albuquerque, NM.
Duane was a devoted Notre Dame and Green Bay Packer football fan. He was an avid golfer and shot his age more than 100 times. He loved the outdoors, with a favorite of his being the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. He had a passion for fishing, especially the trout streams of northeast Iowa and the Chama River.
He also enjoyed betting on horse races and spent many an afternoon in his later years at the Apache Greyhound Track and Sportsbook. Family and friends were important to Duane, and he loved family reunions, especially in northeast Iowa and Okoboji.
Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 64 years, Julia; three sons and four daughters: Mike (Jami) of Wichita, KS, Ellen Wickey (Jeff) of Apache Junction, AZ, Coco Gebro (Kevin) of Albuquerque, NM, Pat (Amy) of Urbandale, Carey Kittler (Bill) of New Ulm, MN, Tom (Denise) of Austin, TX and Kathy Calvert of Scottsdale, AZ; 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Helen Calvert; his brother, Don; his sister, Beverly Kopecky; and a great-grandchild, Jax Zook.
