Mr. Duane Steven Brownfield, age 56, of Columbia, TN passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. He was born in Kankakee, IL on September 25, 1966 to Delbert II and Carol Kirchner Brownfield. He moved to Tennessee in October 1996 with the mother of his children, his firstborn, and two more to be.

In life, Duane spent much of his time as a controls engineer, programming robots for automotive plants. He loved the mathematical gymnastics programming provided him with and was noted to "program with the same zeal that he lived with."

Duane was father to three children who loved him dearly and was a friend to many, notably long-time friend "Skip" Dempsey who spoke of Duane as having "a heart so big his chest could hardly hold it." Duane was passionate about billiards and teaching others the intricacies of the game. But his greatest love in life was music. He was a self-taught musician who mastered guitar, piano, and composition and inspired the love of music in his children. His children agree that "he was a major supporter of our dreams. He made it a priority to help others succeed in their interests, whatever they were." When it came to the people around him, he believed in them faithfully.

Duane was also an avid believer and follower of Jesus Christ, his Bible left marked at Matthew 22:34 "The Greatest Commandment." He belonged to Silverdale Baptist Church and attended service there regularly.

Duane is survived by his children, Nathaniel Brownfield and his wife Aleke of Murfreesboro, TN, Kimberly Brownfield of Calhoun, TN, and Gregory Brownfield of Murfreesboro, TN; father, Delbert Brownfield II; siblings, Delbert Brownfield III, Dennis Brownfield, Carrie Brownfield, and Crystal Magee; mother of his children, Polly Watson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Kirchner Brownfield.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, September 25, 2023 at 3:00pm at Ridgeview Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN for family and friends in the Tennessee area.

A memorial service will also be held Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 2:00pm at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Bourbonnais, IL near his hometown.