Duane Farritor went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 22, 2023. A faithful servant of the Lord, Duane shared the good news of the gospel, both at home in Portis, Kansas and while on the road with his fellow vendors and craftsmen. A skilled artist and woodworker, Duane touched many lives through his work and his intentional conversations. He and his beloved wife Jayne Farritor found dear friends and Christian fellowship among their close-knit community of vendors and their church family in Portis.
Those who knew Duane well understood his generosity, always asking how he could help others. He cared little for material possessions but enjoyed the simple things in life, content to live day to day in the peace that God would care and provide for him and Jayne. Never anxious about the future, Duane was always looking forward to Christ’s return and secure in his Lord’s promises for those who love Him. It brought him joy to take things that were old and discarded and make them into something new and beautiful through his creativity. He appreciated and understood the history of the materials he built with, and the people and stories connected to them.
Duane had a lifelong love of learning, especially about history, engines, trains, architecture, and construction. He was gifted in creatively putting things together, and he enjoyed learning new skills. More than these, his greatest joy was learning about his Lord and in this he was faithful to the very end. As a young teen growing up in Broken Bow, Nebraska, Duane desired something more, realizing life was more than just what was seen, so he searched for it. He came to understand that Jesus was what he was looking for all along. He had genuine joy in doing the Lord's work, and in growing in his faith. Out of love for his Savior flowed a love for boldly telling others about Him.
Despite many trials and hardships, Duane kept his faith, taking any opportunity to tell people about Jesus, especially while traveling with his fellow Christian vendors. The Lord worked through these conversations and relationships to bring others closer to Christ. He had a deep love for scripture, encouraged others to read the Bible, and kept an extra copy around to give as the Spirit led. He was concerned for others spiritual needs, always taking time to pray for them.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, sisters, children, and many grandchildren. His hope would be to have his family and extended family reunited with him in the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”