Raymond “Duane” Radcliffe was born September 21, 1929, the second child of Hobart and Mae (Flanders) Radcliffe, in rural Graham County, Kansas. He passed away August 29, 2024, at Dawson Place in Hill City, Kansas at the age of 94.
Duane attended part of his grade school years in Bogue until his dad Hobart found out that if he paid $25.00 Duane could go to school in Hill City. Beginning with fifth grade his dad paid so Duane could go to Hill City Grade School. Then they wondered how to get Duane there because no buses were running. The Art and Florence Morris family, who lived about a mile south of them, had two daughters who drove by their farm every day on their way to high school. So, arrangements were made for Vera (who later became Vera Fink) and Avis (who later became Avis Chipman) to pick up Duane every day and deliver him to Hill City Grade School. The only thing that Duane remembered about those rides is that one of the girls messed with her hair while the other one drove and sang, which always made for an interesting trip.
Growing up on the farm Duane had some interesting pets: two dogs that he dearly loved, a pet calf, and a pet pig. Duane recalled that the pig followed him around always trying to get into the grain bucket intended for the calves. Whenever Duane sat down the pig would sit beside him, never moving until Duane did.
After entering high school, Duane played on the basketball team, especially enjoying the time spent with his teammates. In 1947 he graduated from Hill City Memorial High School. Duane married Verna Jean Morris June 27, 1948, in Hill City. To this union four children were born: Ronald Duane, Diana Jean, Larry Eugene, and Brenda Ellen. He worked for the Graham County Highway Department as a road maintenance operator and mechanic. In 1956 he bought and operated the Standard Service Station. After selling the station Duane worked for Clear Creek as a truck driver and mechanic. Once his father’s health deteriorated, he decided he should farm full time. In 1973 Duane and seven other farmer friends formed Graham County Farmers Inc., a corporation with the sole purpose of receiving better prices for their commodities - mainly wheat, milo, and soybeans.
In their leisure time Duane and Verna Jean enjoyed boating and water skiing, snow skiing, and traveling – especially on many of the bank sponsored trips. Supporting their children and grandchildren’s activities through the years was extremely fun for them. Duane was preceded in death by his parents Hobart and Mae Radcliffe, an infant brother, and his wife of 74 years, Verna Jean. He leaves to mourn his children; Ron and wife Joy of Hill City; Diana and husband Larry Crosby of Littleton, Colorado; Larry and wife Shelly of Hill City; and Brenda Appelhans of Hill City; nine grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren, a brother-in-law Dean Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.