Lone Rock Resources Celebrates Duane Grant’s 50 Years of Service

Lone Rock Resources recently gathered employees, contractors, friends and family to celebrate a major milestone: Duane Grant’s 50 years with the company.

For Grant, the celebration was about more than marking five decades on the job. Looking around at the people who attended, he reflected on the relationships built throughout his career.

“A lot of men consider money, lots of money,” Grant said. “I’m a rich man. And I look at this crowd and I’m going, I am the richest man on the face of the earth right here.”

Grant began working in the timber industry in 1976, when the operation was still known as Sun Studs. His father had also worked for the company during its earlier years.

His first job involved setting chokers behind a Caterpillar tractor. Over the next 20 years, Grant worked throughout the company’s operations, running equipment, working on the ground, planting trees and gaining experience in logging, surveying and engineering.

When the company’s road construction supervisor retired in 1996, Grant was selected to take over the position. He remained in that role for 10 years before being promoted to logging manager in 2006.

Another change came in 2016, when Grant became director of internal operations. In that position, he used his experience across the company’s departments to mentor younger employees and help them understand what he described as the “Lone Rock Way.”

Grant said that philosophy means employees take ownership in the company, look out for its interests, make good decisions and do their part to help it succeed.

Those who worked alongside Grant described him as committed, steadfast and someone who always placed an emphasis on doing quality work.

“When Duane was about the project, you were going to end up with quality,” one speaker said during the celebration. “No question. It’ll be done right.”

Grant was not referring to financial wealth, but to the friends, family members, coworkers and contractors who had gathered to celebrate the relationships he built during his 50-year career.

Another colleague recalled working with Grant during a wildfire response in 2015. Despite difficult terrain and challenging conditions, Grant’s skill operating heavy equipment stood out.

“He’s like a surgeon,” the colleague said, adding that Grant could accomplish things with equipment that few others could.

Grant’s impact, however, extended beyond his knowledge of logging roads, equipment and timber operations. Several speakers talked about his willingness to teach others and the influence he had on employees who were just beginning their careers.

One employee recalled being told to work with Grant and learn everything possible from him.

“Honestly, I don’t know where I would be at this company,” the employee said, describing Grant as one of the nicest people someone could meet and a person who was never confused about what mattered most.

Throughout the celebration, speakers also emphasized Grant’s dedication to his wife and family. His professional accomplishments may have been the reason for the gathering, they said, but his family has always remained at the center of his life.

Grant encouraged others to do the best they can, enjoy what they are doing and remember that every day is a good day, even though some are better than others.

After 50 years of working, teaching and passing along what he has learned, Grant said it is finally time to begin stepping back.

“Now it’s time to slow down and turn it over to them,” Grant said, “and hope they paid attention.”