Duane Harding Marchant

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Duane Harding Marchant, age 84, passed away peacefully in his home in North Salt Lake, Utah on May 12th, 2023. He was surrounded by many family members in an atmosphere of love when he returned to his heavenly home. He looked forward to being reunited with his beloved wife Joan and others who love him on the other side of the veil.

Duane was born in Provo, Utah on March 6th, 1939 to his parents Gilbert Reed Marchant and Mary Afton Harding Marchant. He had a happy childhood growing up in Peoa and Kamas, Utah where he rode horses, herded cattle, helped his dad on the farm and had other boyhood adventures. He first met his sweetheart, Joan Page, in grade school where he was known to pull on her pigtails to get her attention. They began dating in high school and would later marry after Duane’s mission to Australia.

Duane graduated with his bachelors from Brigham Young University and with an MBA from Utah State University. He and Joan had 6 children who were their pride and joy. He had many hobbies and interests, but was particularly passionate about BYU sports, and he also attended concerts, plays and sporting events to cheer on his children and grand-children. Duane served in the national guard and had a deep love for his country. He worked for many years in real estate and development.

He loved the outdoors and spent many days hiking, exploring, hunting, fishing, and cutting timber in the High Uintas. He loved camping with his family, dutch oven cooking, growing flowers, fresh tomatoes and peaches each summer. He enjoyed rocky road ice cream, apple fritters, extra sharp cheese, salmon, and jumbo-sized milkshakes.

He was a man of great stature with an even bigger heart to match. He had great love for his wife, children, and found joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had a unique way of making every person he met feel heard, seen, and important. He shared stories, ideas, and wisdom with those he loved in conversations and with the written word. He authored over 500 articles and wrote and published two books. He was a gifted teacher and his wit and wisdom were shared and appreciated by his family members and others who sought his advice and counsel.

Duane and Joan served a mission together for the Church Education System in Tacoma, Washington. After returning from their mission, he lovingly cared for his wife Joan until she passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2018.

Duane was a committed and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a dedicated student of the gospel. He had a deep faith and understanding of spiritual things and studied his scriptures daily. He was a natural leader and a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He had great faith, strength, and resilience. He endured many physical trials and was faithful to the end of his life while maintaining his sense of humor, hope and optimism.

He is dearly loved by many and his presence and influence will be greatly missed. His example and legacy of love will live on through his posterity and we will always be grateful for his commitment to his faith and to his family.

Survivors include his children and spouses, Michelle Johnson (Benjamin), West Jordan, UT; Heidi Frodsham (Bruce), St. George, UT; Marianne Willes (Keith), Bountiful, UT; Allison Corey (Daniel), Orem, UT; Joseph D. Marchant (Bernice) Farmington, UT; Thomas P. Marchant (Monica) Kaysville, UT; brother Lewis Marchant; South Jordan, UT., 23 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Joan, mother and father, brother Reed Marchant, and sisters Adele Rogers, Jennie Hyde, and Mattie Jean Marchant.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 20th at the Foxboro Stake Center, located at 954 West 1100 North, North Salt Lake, where a viewing will be held on Friday, May 19th from 6-8 p.m., and Saturday prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m. 
Interment will be in the Peoa, UT cemetery under the direction of Russon Mortuary of Bountiful, UT.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and this obituary page. Services may also be viewed at https://youtube.com/@foxboro7thward843