By Frank Antosiewicz
CORRESPONDENT
Published: May 5, 2014 4:56 pm ET
Updated: May 5, 2014 4:58 pm ET
George Pierce “Pete” Duane Jr., 87, the founder of Chem-Pak Inc., died May 2 at the Blue Ridge Hospice Residential Center in Winchester, Va.
He started Chem-Pak in 1965. The Martinsburg, W. Va., company is known for its specialty plastic coatings and for contract packaging of aerosols and liquids.
Duane gained a patent in 1985 on a specialized coating that he personally developed for the automotive molding industry. He continued to expand the product line, and it now includes more than 50 products.
Duane was active in his community, serving in leadership roles in the Braddock Street United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, the Winchester Planning Commission, the local HUD Chapter 8 residential facility, and Winchester House Inc. He also was a member of the Winchester Jaycees, Kiwanis and Rotary International.
Duane served in U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and later attended Randolph Macon College, where he earned a degree in physics and mathematics.
He always wanted to fly planes, and in 2004 he completed basic flight training and obtained basic Airmanship Certification.
He leaves his wife of 63 years, Jane; and three grown children.
Services will be held May 6 at the Omps Funeral Home in Winchester. Family visitation will be held at 1:30 p.m. followed by a service at 2:30 p.m. | 
