Don "Duane" Stoker

Don Duane Stoker

A memorial service for longtime Eads, Colorado resident, Don Duane Stoker, affectionately known to his family and friends as Duane, will be held at 11:00AM on February, 13, 2026 at the First Christian Church in Eads with Pastor Mark Imel officiating.

Don Duane Stoker, 78, of Eads, Colorado, went to his heavenly home to be with Jesus on February 5, 2026. He was born September 2, 1947 to George and Shirley (Barber) Stoker in Eads, Colorado. He grew up in Haswell, CO the 3rd son of 5 brothers and a sister in the family.

He graduated from Eads High School in 1965. Always athletic, he enjoyed competing in football, wrestling and baseball and watching local athletes later in life. After high school he went into the National Guard and worked on some road crews putting in I-70, but ranching was always on his mind.

He married Brenda Addington on November 5, 1967. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage in November! From this union, Jared Scott Stoker was born on November 28, 1976.

Ranching was Duane’s passion. He went to work on the ranch Brenda grew up on soon after they were married, before purchasing his own ranch in Wild Horse, Colorado where Duane traveled every day while living in Eads, so that Brenda could teach. He also neighbored his older brother Eldon and family, so that made for good times helping each other out. In the late 90’s Duane swapped ranches and moved closer to Eads on the former Addington Ranch, where he continued to work until recent health issues.

Duane’s love of ranching and cattle was his life’s story. If you talked to him more than a minute, you’d find that out. Weather and cattle markets were always hot topics for him. He loved cattle. Period. Brandings, “C-store” coffee with the guys, riding a cowy horse, watching someone else’s horse buck (especially Jared’s!) and all the new kids at brandings were some other favorites. I also can’t help but mention his love of timing everything that was done as if it was a race! “73 minutes to gather and brand 168 calves.”

Faith and family were also important to him. While not perfect, he wore out 2 bibles reading and taking notes. Many times, he would be deep in the word early morning when life handed him issues: bad weather, sorry cattle markets, etc. He was a longtime member of First Christian Church Church in Eads, where he was baptized in 1975 and served on the board as well as deacon role for many years.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger Stoker and brother-in-law Galen Hill.

He is survived by his wife Brenda, son Jared (Leslie) Stoker, grandson Jaxon, granddaughter Bentley, brother Bert (Martha) Stoker, niece Lisa (Orrin) Padgett, Eldon (Sylvia) Stoker, niece Arlene (Casey) Potter, nephew Cody (Sonya) Stoker, nephew Cade Stoker, niece Jolene (Malcom) Williamson, sister Kathy Stoker-Hil of LaSalle and brother Robb Stoker of La Junta, CO.

We also note his “extended” family from the coffee shop, ranching friends, and sale barn associates. He certainly enjoyed you all.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Eads either direct or in care of the funeral home office.