Duane L Day

Duane Lee Day November 29, 1929 – June 9, 2026 Duane Lee Day, 96, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at his home in Wildomar, California, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Born in Flint, Michigan, to Arlie Rudolph Day and Mary Ruth Yarnell, Duane dedicated his life to faith, service, education, and family. He graduated from Wayne State University, earned a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological Seminary, and later received a Ph.D. in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary of Columbia University. During his career, Duane served Congregational churches across the country, taught at seminaries, worked in higher education fundraising, and founded Day and Associates, a consulting firm. Duane was a committed advocate for civil rights & social justice. On June 30, 1984, he married the love of his life, Charmaine Shirley, on Catalina Island. He is survived by Charmaine; his children Deborah Day Krull (Ken), Rebecca Caplan (William), Kevin Day, Patricia Day Ten Eyck, and his stepdaughter, Debra Coker; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Duane loved sailing, reading, gardening, baseball, and his faithful dog, Teddy. He will be remembered for his deep faith, gentle spirit, compassion, wisdom, and unwavering love.