March 14, 1931 - January 9, 2009

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Duane Moss was born in Dewey County, Oklahoma, near the small farming town of Vici. He grew up working hard to help maintain the family farm, and he developed a deep love for the land.  Duane graduated from Vici High School and attended Oklahoma A&M (currently Oklahoma State University) where he received a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in Agronomy.  He married Merlene Cole in June 1953. 

After two years of military service, Duane began his career with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in March 1956.  Throughout his career with the SCS, Duane and Merlene transferred several times throughout West Texas then settled in Terry County in 1966 where Duane was the District Conservationist.  They were blessed with seven children, each of whom graduated from Brownfield High School.  Duane retired from the USDA in 1999. 

He was known as being a man of integrity, honesty, hard work and good humor.  He found joy in helping farmers care for the land and conserve our natural resources.  Duane was a kind, gentle man who earned the respect and admiration of the Terry County community.  He lived his life knowing “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (Psalms 24:1), so he did all he could to show his love of God through his care for God’s creations.  His legacy continues through the scholarship winners, who hopefully  who hopefully love the land and want to preserve it for future generations.

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