Duane Sabens

DUANE CLARK SABENS (1949-2024)

       On March1, surrounded by loved ones at his home, Duane passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus after a long, arduous battle with Parkinson’s. 

Duane was born in Colchester, Vermont on April 23, 1949 to George and Frances Sabens. The Sabens made laughter and jokes a big part of their family life, which helped make Duane the funny man that so many will remember. Due to George being in the Army 20 plus years, the Sabens had many different addresses with Fort Benning, GA being the longest stateside station and Germany being the longest overseas station. At the age of 19, Duane followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Army, serving in places such as Hawaii and Germany. Duane was an outstanding soldier in his 20 year career receiving awards such as: the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Qualification, Meritorious Service Medal, etc. In his final years of service to the Army, Duane earned his BS in Computer Science, which lead him to eventually work for Total Systems/Synovus as a computer technician, starting in Columbus, GA and eventually moving to Birmingham, AL in 2001. He again gave many years to his place of employment and retired from Synovus after a 20 year career there as well.

 Next to his love of computers, Duane developed a love of woodworking. He made himself a workshop in his garage and taught himself how to make things such as bookcases, shelves and toy boxes. With this talent, he gifted his wife, children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren beautiful pieces of furniture that they will have to cherish and remember him by for many years to come. In addition to his woodworking, he enjoyed messing with the children at church, movies, puzzles, motorcycle riding, fishing, working on their yard or cars, and helping others. In the many years at CrossBridge Church, he was quick to lend a helping hand, either at the church or when others would go to help a family in need. Duane and Sue also enjoyed traveling and were able to travel to places like Vermont to see his grandmother, Niagara Falls, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Florida. 

Duane first met Sue in Upatoi, GA during an Easter Egg hunt at a friend’s house. With both having lost a spouse and both having a daughter and son, they found they had much in common. On September 5, 1981, their individual families of 3 became one family of 6. Now with 4 children and an 8 year gap between youngest and oldest, Duane and Sue had their hands full. Their two families blended well though and quickly became a close knit group where the word step- was hardly ever thought of or used, even into the extended families of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. With love and determination to make this new family work, they put their heads, time and efforts together and raised their four kids through many ups and downs. Even though there were some rocky times in the beginning, Duane became a dad that did his best to be at every baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball game or track meet, to teach his kids how to mow the grass or use a wrench, how to hunt and fish, to be responsible for what belonged to them and most importantly how to be a good and faithful Christian servant. He was always there for his family to provide and give support and all his children knew that he would do his best to help them whenever they were in need.  

A Parkinson’s diagnosis over 10 years ago made life indeed more difficult for him and for the family members that cared for him. He did his best to continue his hobbies of computers, puzzles, woodworking and fishing to the end of his days and still managed to catch a fish the last time his son Jerry took him fishing back in September. Even through all the frustrations of his disease, he never ceased to make people laugh on almost a daily basis by throwing in a joke or funny statement. Duane will be greatly missed but we are thankful that our Risen Savior has welcomed him home.

Duane is survived by Sue Sabens, his wife of 42 years, his children Ann (David), Jerry (Alison), Lisa (Michael), and Brad (Ann), grandchildren Susan, Sandra, Sarah, Stephanie, Sydney, Summer, Kathryn, Gabriel, Bradley, Michael, William, and Ashley, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his father George Sabens, sister Linda, and brothers Stanley (Teresa) and Gerald (Barbara).