Duane Metz, 64, of Fairbanks, passed away Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 after a lengthy illness.

He was born Dec. 20, 1943 in Garrison, N.D., to John and Merrill Metz. He served four years with the United States Air Force. He also attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks for Applied Sciences for Electronic Technology.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Merrill Metz; his wife of 31 years, Alice Metz; his brother Rodger Metz; and his great-granddaughter Shilo Bobo.

He is survived by his brother, Tom and Shirley Metz of Bismarck, N.D.; sister, Kay and Jack Barlow of Columbia, S.C; sons, William C. Tritt Sr. and Cora; Dale and Claudette LeGrand; Don Chalmers; Mark and Rose Ryder; Tyrone Ryder Sr. and Shawna; daughter Connie and Stan Pigeon; adopted daughter Dee Rice; grandchildren Ambrose Tritt, Alberta and Paul John Jr., April (and Nick Hill), Arliss, Cordell, Courtney, Roselynn, William Jr., Renee, Jacquelynn, Amanda, Jessica, Shane, Maria, Caitlin Ryder, Jason, Jeremiah, Alishia Baber, Christopher Shaver, Tyrone Jr, DeShawn Ryder and Ivy LeGrand; great-grandchildren Tony, Damon VillageCenter, Alexandra Parnell, Kaycee John, Destiny Demoski-Tritt and Cody Pigeon; nieces Michelle Anderson (Mike), Melissa Hadden (Jamie) of Lexington, SC, great niece, Katie Anderson, great nephews Bryan Anderson and Jackson Hadden, both of Lexington, SC; brother-in-law Horace and Elizabeth Cadzow; sister- in-laws Maggie Beach, Myra Heaps and Josephine Peter.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church from noon to 1 p.m. The funeral will be from 1-2 p.m. A traditional potlatch will follow at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall immediately following services.

Funeral arrangements were made by Chapel of Chimes.