Dennis Duryea

Dennis E. Duryea, 68, of Topeka, KS, died on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Stormont-Vail Hospital of Topeka.

Dennis was born at home in Seneca, KS on July 14, 1955, to Charles T. "Ted" Duryea, Jr. and Eileen (Wessel) Duryea and was one of eight children. Dennis attended elementary school in Bern, KS and later attended high school at Nemaha Valley High School in Seneca, KS, graduating in 1973. He joined the Missouri Air National Guard in 1973 and later joined the Kansas Air National Guard in 1976. From 1973 on and while still in the Guard, Dennis worked at Ray's Auto Supply. While married to his first wife, Denise Cleland, he welcomed his son, Josh, in 1982 and daughter, Stacy, in 1983.

While in the Guard, he graduated from the Noncommissioned Officer Academy and served as an Air Refueling and Hydraulic Specialist. He was deployed several times during his service, including Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. After 21 years of service, Dennis retired from the Guard.

Dennis moved to Topeka, KS in 1998 where he worked for Goodyear Tire, retiring after 20 years in 2018. In 2000, he met Joyce Karst. The two clicked immediately and later wed on September 20, 2003.

Dennis loved playing basketball, spending time on the lake, boating, fishing, driving his motorcycle, riding four-wheelers, camping, traveling, and spending time with his kids and grandkids. He was a member of the American Legion and enjoyed helping his friends and family. He was a man that would do anything for anyone and didn't know a stranger. He was a man that believed strangers were only friends he hadn't met yet.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Eileen Duryea of Seneca, KS.

He is survived by his spouse, Joyce Karst-Duryea of Topeka, KS; two children, Josh (Chi) Duryea of Houston, TX and Stacy (Dustin) Monier of Seneca, KS; two step-children, Jessica (John) Harrison of Bothell, WA and Sheila (Adam) Heiman of Topeka, KS; seven grandchildren, Kinsey Monier, Emilia Monier, Lawson Monier, Kayla Harrison, Tyler Harrison, Blake Heiman and Bryce Heiman; seven siblings, Marilyn (Eldon) Koch of St. Joseph, MO, Ronald (Sharon) Duryea of Topeka, KS, Donald (Beth) Duryea of Solomon, KS, Debra (Gary) Meyer of Sabetha, KS, Greg (Lesa) Duryea of Morrill, KS, Merle (Rose Mary) Duryea of Seneca, KS, and Kay Lynne (Marvin) Gabb of Spring Hill, KS.

A visitation will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, February 19, 2024, at Parker-Price & Davidson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, also at Parker-Price & Davidson Funeral Home. Burial services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the Seneca City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Combat Air Museum Regional Airport, 7016 SE Forbes Ave, Topeka, KS 66619.

Dennis's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.