Duane Ledford

Duane DJ Lynn Ledford Jr., 31, passed away August 20, 2010, at the St. Joseph Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born to Duane Lynn Ledford Sr. and Margie Ann Avalos in Bountiful, Utah, on May 22, 1979. A few years later, he was adopted for medical insurance purposes, and raised by his grandparents, Junior and Isabel Ledford. He spent most of his life growing up in Safford, Arizona. He was always a part of his moms (Margie Ann Salado) and step-fathers (Brian Lee Salado) life. DJ was preceded in death by his grandparents, Avelino B. Avalos, Mauricia Avalos Karnofsky, and step-grandfather, Richard Karnofsky. DJ graduated from Safford High School in 1997 and attended the Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. He worked as a diesel mechanic for most of his career at the Phelps Dodge and Freeport McMoran mines, Morenci, Arizona. He loved the outdoors and had a passion for hunting, riding quads, fishing, shooting his guns and bows, and horse back riding; he was especially dedicated to his children and involving them in his activities with the outdoors. DJ is survived by his grandparents, Junior and Isabel Ledford of Safford; parents, Brian (step-father) and Margie Salado of Tucson; father, Duane Ledford Sr. of CO.; brother, Brian Medina (April) of Tucson; sister, Erica Lopez (Daniel) of Tucson; sister, Candace Carls of CO.; sister Tawnie Ledford of CO.; brother Benjamin Ledford of CO.; step-brother, Brian Salado (Katie) of Rocklin, CA.; step-brother, Eric Salado of Auburn, CA.; and children: daughter, Shainah, and sons: Tyler, Tayson, and Tanner, all of Safford. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins and friends. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by us all. A memorial service/mass will be held Saturday, Sept 4, 2010, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 311 Central Avenue, Safford, at 9:45 a.m. Donations for his four children may be made to Wells Fargo, Routing # 122105278, Account # 2247877091.