Ssg (Ret) Cyrille Joseph "Duke" Du Shane

SSG (RET) Cyrille Joseph Du Shane, 87, of Ellerslie, GA died Sunday June 23, 2024 at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown. Funeral Services will be held 11:30 AM Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 16117 GA HWY-315, Ellerslie, GA 31807, with Pastor James Friberg and Dr. Jeff Pate officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. Interment will be held at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery following the service.

Cyrille was born November 7, 1936 in Albany, NY son of the late Cyrille Joseph Du Shane, Sr and Clara Helen Terry Du Shane. Ranger Cyrille J. “Duke” Du Shane was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his extraordinary valor in combat, his long time service to his country and contributions to the Ranger community. During his three tours in Vietnam, he was twice awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor during ground combat operations. In Vietnam, he served with the Company P Rangers of the fifth Infantry and Division as a Ranger team leader, Operations Sergeant, and Company First Sergeant. He also served tours in Vietnam with the famous 1st Calvary Division and with the 118th Aviation Company as a helicopter door gunner. His artistic ability and design work can be seen anywhere you find Rangers. He was involved in the design of the Ranger Memorial and is the designer of the medallion that is presented to each Ranger who is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame. He furnished portraits of the Ranger Medal of Honor awardees to the Regimen. He was known as the “Godfather of the Long Range Surveillance Leader Course.” He served the 75th Ranger Regimen Association as the President, Vice President and as a liaison between the Association, the 75th Ranger Regimen, and the Ranger Training Brigade. His contributions to the Ranger community are too numerous to list. He had a love for all Rangers and was the epitome of a Ranger.

Other than his parents, Duke is preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years, Marion Alice Thompson Du Shane; 14 siblings; unofficially adopted son and friend, Terry Roderick.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Du Shane of Ellerslie, GA; children, Tony Du Shane (Carol) of Upatoi, GA, Melody Barnhart (Steven) of Defuniak Springs, FL, Michele Du Shane of Columbus, GA, Raoul Du Shane of Ellerslie, GA; grandchildren, Jonathan Du Shane (Jennifer) of Columbus, GA, Cason Harrelson (Nathan) of Phenix City, AL, Shannon Caffee (Justin) of Flowery Branch, GA, Charlie Beam of Sylva, NC, Michelle Pate (Jeff) of Spindale, NC, Jennifer Mellina (Wesley) of Athens, GA, Brandy Coughlin (Anthony) of Gulf Breeze, FL, Christina Colbert (Lance) of Smith Station, AL, Mikhail Benjamin of Georgia, Allison Ieronimo of Columbus, GA, Josh Du Shane of Alton, IL, Sean Du Shane of Alton, IL; seventeen great grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, sisters, Sharon Pratt of New York, and Leona Caputo of New York.

Flowers will be accepted, those so desiring may make contributions to the building fund of Cornerstone Baptist Church, 16117 GA-315, Ellerslie, GA 31807, or The US Army Ranger Association at www.ranger.org