Donald Roy Du Frane
Birth Date: January 5, 1932
Death Date: February 4, 2018
Don Roy du Frane, 86, of Pittsburg, CA, passed away February 4th, 2018 after a decade long battle against lung cancer. He was born in Ganges, MI on January 5th, 1932 to Roy Louis DuFrane and Martha Josephine Bailey. His Aunt Luella Peterson helped raise him through childhood. He lived the majority of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area. He enlisted in the United States Airforce and served in combat during the Korean War. Upon returning he studied and received a doctorate in divinity from a Seminary school in San Francisco. Don had a career as a computer specialist, programmer. He was passionate about martial arts, having studied many various forms throughout his life including Karate, Judo, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu. He previously studied at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Japan where he was awarded a black belt. He specialized in Seven Star Praying Mantis, having studied under Sifu Brendan Lai in San Francisco. He practiced and taught from his home as a Sifu for the past 44 years. He cared for many cats throughout his lifetime, and they have also looked after him since his earliest days, but Bentley was his most beloved animal companion. He was married to Tracey Lee Purcell on September 28th, 1985. He was survived by his wife Tracey, his sons Frank and Wyatt, and his grandson Calvin. Condolences to the family can be emailed to tpurc@comcast.net.
Private Services will be held.