Rupert Duane McAllister

Rupert Duane McAllister, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015.

Duane was born May 5, 1925, in York, Nebraska, to Paul Rupert and Mary Frances Malone McAllister. He married his childhood friend and high-school sweetheart, Rosemary Conrad, on Sept. 14, 1944. This past summer they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary surrounded by four generations of family.

Duane served in World War II as a B-25 pilot during The Po Valley Campaign, Italy. After the war, Duane and his family were stationed in occupied Japan and England, and many places in the USA. Flying all over the world with the Military Air Transport Service, he flew the Lockheed Constellation (C-121) and the Columbine III, (considered the first Air Force One). Duane retired as a major July 25, 1965. During his military years, he also volunteered as scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts.

In 1974, Duane and Rosemary moved to Estes Park, and spent the next 20 years enjoying living and working in the state of Colorado. In 1993, they moved to Cape Girardeau to be near family. The last few years, they made their home in Saxony Manor. Duane volunteered for 20 years at Southeast Hospital, and enjoyed his banjo, gardening and traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; his sister, Elaine McAllister and Richard Burnett; two sons, David and LaRue Votrain McAllister of Cape Girardeau and Richard and Brenda Freeman McAllister of Payson, Arizona; and one daughter, Debra McAllister and Robert Gerling of Guthrie, Oklahoma; nieces; nephews; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Vernon Keith McAllister and Howard McAllister.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he patiently taught his family the skills needed in life to not only survive but to enjoy life. Loved and respected for his strength of character, his wit and love of God, country and family, he will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. VFW Post 3838 will conduct a 6 p.m. service.

A private family graveside burial service will be later at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; or the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.