Duane Gourdin

Duane Joseph Gourdin was an outstanding musician, loving husband, father, brother, and friend.  He left this world unexpectedly on August 17, 2022.  He was 72 years old.

He was born to Joseph Gourdin and Miriam Desvigne Gourdin on July 7, 1950 in New York, New York.

Duane, the eldest of six children, beloved and admired by all and genuinely praised from the start.  As a Musician, Duane played the entire musical books from our piano instructors while the rest practiced our scales.  Instructors treated him like he was Mozart.  He was Gifted, no doubt, and that allowed him to see the world.  Duane performed at Madison Square Garden, the Apollo in Harlem, throughout the USA as well as Scotland, Europe, and Russia, to name a few.  He was that talented.

Duane was also very popular and managed to stay in contact with many friends he grew up with through the years.  Duane was the one invited to parties.  He was a leading brother who proudly took his place first as you can see from the Thanksgiving photo on Dexter's staircase and the rest just lined up behind him.  Duane was Great!

The last several years of Duane’s life were spent in Galveston, Florida, and Houston.  He was blessed to have performed with many local and regional bands & artists.  His talent as a musical director and keyboardist were widely recognized – he was sought after by many for musical collaborations. Through these collaborations, he made many life-long friends.  Duane truly loved music – it was ingrained in his heart and soul.

When Duane wasn’t performing, he spent time with his wonderful family, cooking, and watching his favorite TV shows & movies.  He was a homebody and loved his creature comforts.  Duane was ill the last two years of his life, but he always managed to wake up each day to call his family and friends to check up on them.  Duane loved his family who filled his life with joy.

Duane is greatly missed, but family and friends can take comfort that he is filling Heaven with beautiful harmonies & melodies.  Duane’s music did not end, only the key has changed.

Duane is survived by his loving wife Jeanette, his four beautiful daughters and son:  Kim, Cheray, Jazzmin, Desire, & Duane Jr., and his siblings:  Denise, Derek, Dexter, and Darren. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.  Duane was a grandfather to Ashley, Amber, Atlas Rush, Amelia Rey, and a great grandfather to Jayden.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph & Miriam Gourdin, baby brother Desmond Gourdin, and granddaughter Ashley Brown.

​Duane’s life will be celebrated in late fall and he will be laid to rest at St. Roch Catholic Cemetery, New Orleans.