Michael Raymond Duvall

Michael Raymond (Mike) DuVall, 78, of Long Beach, California, outdoorsman, singer, Eagle Scout, Naval officer, alternative energy advocate, and devoted family man, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2014, in Long Beach, California, surrounded by family and friends.

The oldest of four boys, Mike was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, to Dorothy May and Harold R. DuVall.

Growing up he enjoyed camping with the Boy Scouts and, always one to go above and beyond, Mike achieved scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15. In high school, he sang in the First Methodist Church’s youth choir and played football for the Wildcats at El Dorado High School. Upon graduation, he entered Tulane University as a history major on a Navy ROTC scholarship.

Mike met and courted Dorothy Lange at Tulane in what he called “The Last Great Victorian Romance.” The two were married on Christmas afternoon small private ceremony held at the home of one of Dottie’s professors. Their son, Rion, was born two years later. Mike was a devoted father and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his family.

Upon graduation from Tulane, Mike became a Naval Officer and served his country for the next ten years, traveling the globe wherever and whenever Uncle Sam required. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Mike attended the University of Southern California.

He earned his Master’s degree in accounting and began a lifelong career with his own accounting practice. He was passionate about helping his clients and took the view that each of their problems was as unique as the clients themselves.

Mike had a wide range of interests, including camping, cycling, reading, listening to and singing classical music, and attending operas. He was an early supporter for the creation of bicycle lanes and trails in Southern California. His keen interest in alternative energy led him to become a member the Geothermal Resources Council.

He especially loved singing in choirs. He preferred Baroque music, and Bach was his favorite composer. Mike was also a big fan of opera, especially the Long Beach Opera and New York’s Metropolitan Opera.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Dorothy DuVall, and his wife of 51 years, Dorothy DuVall. He is survived by his brothers Ruud and Samuel DuVall of Fayetteville, AR, Daniel DuVall of Gainesville, GA, and his son and daughter-in-law, Rion and Nobuko DuVall, of Long Beach, CA, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services were held at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Long Beach, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Mike’s name to either SoCal PBS or to the Long Beach Opera.