Ronald Lee Duarte

Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on November 23, 1933
Departed on February 1, 2009. Resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Memorial

Ronald Lee Duarte 75, life long resident of Cedar Rapids died suddenly at his home on Feb. 1, 2009. Memorial services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church Monday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. The Rev. Barbara Schlachter will officiate.
Survivors include children Keith (Rosalie) Duarte of Springville, Rhonda Duarte of Maine, Luanne (Kevin) Vlk of Hiawatha, and Diane Duarte and Quentin Duarte of Cedar Rapids. Ron leaves three granddaughters Alissa (Robert) Klein of Oklahoma, Nicole Thorn of Wisconsin, and Andrea Vlk of Hiawatha as well as a great-grandson Demetrius Duarte. Sisters Delores (Bob) Odegard, Beatrice ( Don) Buchheister, Linda Duarte, and a brother Mario Duarte also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and former wife Sondra.
Ron was born November 23,1933 at home to Dorothy Varner Duarte and William P. Duarte. The family lived on "C" Ave. N. E. in the area known as "Little Mexico". The household included Bill's mother, Mary Refugia Duarte, his sister Carmen, and her children Ralph Myers, Bob Watts, and Rita Watts. Ron was baptized and confirmed at Grace Episcopal Church and later was a long time member of St. Michael's. During his life Ron maintained a great respect for the teaching profession. Three of his teachers from the old Jackson Elementary affected him in such a positive way that they earned his lifelong gratitude and appreciation. In January 1952 Ron graduated from McKinley where he participated in a cappella choir, football, baseball, and wrestling.
On May 2, 1953 Ronald and Sondra Jean Frakes were married in Dubuque, Iowa. Ron was employed at Iowa Milling and Kilborn Photo where he was a little league coach. He then worked at Farmland Industries for 25 years retiring in 1991. His favorite activities included fishing and picnicking when he was raising his family, bowling on multiple leagues, and following the sports world on TV. Obtaining season tickets for Hawkeye football was a dream come true during his retirement.
Ron felt that all of his days here with us were "extras" following his near drowning at age six. That occurred on a family outing to Conrad Beach near Ellis Park. Thankfully for us, a guardian angel rescued him from the Cedar River that day. It was his request that he be cremated. Te quiero mi vida.

Service