Private funeral services for Ascencion "Sonny" Duarte will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2020 at the Southside Baptist Church, Snyder with Pastor Randell Newby, Yale, Oklahoma officiating.

Burial will follow in the Fairlawn Cemetery, Snyder, Oklahoma under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home of Snyder.

The service may be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.

Ascencion "Sonny" Duarte, 75, Snyder passed away on Monday, May 18, 2020 at his home in Snyder.  He was born April 11, 1945 in Tamaulipas, Mexico to Federico and Juanita (Marmolejo) Duarte.  He married Mary Ellen Torres on October 25, 1961 in Vernon, Texas.  Sonny worked for the City of Snyder for 20 years and served as a volunteer firefighter for 15 years.  Prior to his coming to Snyder, he worked at the MGM Grand Hotel / Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He also worked as foreman at Warm Springs, Nevada and the Nevada Power Plant.  Following his retirement from the City of Snyder, he worked as a farm hand.  Sonny enjoyed many hobbies, but his favorites were playing the accordion, singing with friends in his shop and dancing with his wife Mary.  He also loved many genres of Spanish music.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ellen Duarte of the home, a son Ruben Duarte and wife Hlif of Iceland, daughter Rosa Calvillo and husband Juan of Vernon, Texas, son Ricky Duarte of Snyder, daughter Gloria Farlow and husband Tim of Snyder, daughter Marty Duarte and Marvin Crowder of Snyder, and a son Jason Duarte and wife Sondra of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He is also survived by 4 grandsons, 10 granddaughters, 8 great grandsons, 3 sisters, a brother and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, 3 sisters and a brother.