Duane Isely was born in Bentonville, Arkansas, on Oct. 24, 1918.

He was the son of Dwight Isely and Blessie Elise Dort. He married Helen Sue Pearson on April 1, 1940, but divorced from her in 1965. Together, they had two children, Deanna Sue and Karl. In a second marriage, he married Mary Elizabeth Holman, on July 17, 1977.

He graduated with a B.A. at University of Arkansas in 1938, got the M.S. in 1939 and Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1942. He was the Senior seed analys at Alabama Departement of Agriculture from 1943 to 1944. From 1944 to 1946 he was extension associate at Iowa State University in Ames. He was assistant professor from 1946 to 1949, associated professor from 1949 to 1956 and distinguished professor in sciences and humanities in 1981.

Achievements include development of new methods for agriculture seed analysis and was major source for training seed analysts.