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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Nathaniel Duke
Nathaniel
Duke
June 29, 1923 – November 9, 2009
Nathaniel Duke's Obituary
After living a long life, filled with new experiences, adventure, and always making friends along the way, Nathaniel Duke, of Florence, died Monday, November 9, 2009. E.C.M. Hospital. He was 86. During his brief stay at the hospital, he and his family had the opportunity to share many wonderful family stories with each other..
A service to celebrate his life will be held Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, Florence. Associate pastor, the Rev. Laura Hutchinson and Elder Tom Pebworth will officiate. The casket will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service and a reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Mr. Duke''s first wife, Sara Jean Race Duke, died in 1972. He will be buried next to her in the White Cemetery in Hunter, Oklahoma on Saturday.
Mr. Duke was born in Alexander City, Alabama and grew up in Montgomery. His enlistment in the Army Air Corps began a lifetime of adventure and travel. In World War II, he was one of the original handlers of dogs used by the military for sentry duty. During his military career, he served on bases in Japan, Morocco, and the United States. One assignment was in Miami, where his children were raised. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1964. He joked that while living in Miami, he had been a hearse driver and while working at a hotel there, met Jackie Gleason.
Following retirement, he traveled extensively before moving to Florence in 1996. He loved his church, his girls and their families, and the opportunity to visit with others.
He is survived by his daughters Susan D. Gebhardt and husband Dr, Carl Gebhardt, Florence, Ann D. McQuinn and husband Jim, Orlando, Florida, and Glenda Loth, Orlando, Florida; grandchildren Chris and Eric Gebhardt, Jennifer and Stuart West, Wendy Loth and Leitha Christiano; great-grandchildren, Chloe and Emily Waid.
Members of the family will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Florence.
Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family. You are invited to sign the on-line guest register at www.elkinsfh.com.
A service to celebrate his life will be held Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, Florence. Associate pastor, the Rev. Laura Hutchinson and Elder Tom Pebworth will officiate. The casket will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service and a reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Mr. Duke''s first wife, Sara Jean Race Duke, died in 1972. He will be buried next to her in the White Cemetery in Hunter, Oklahoma on Saturday.
Mr. Duke was born in Alexander City, Alabama and grew up in Montgomery. His enlistment in the Army Air Corps began a lifetime of adventure and travel. In World War II, he was one of the original handlers of dogs used by the military for sentry duty. During his military career, he served on bases in Japan, Morocco, and the United States. One assignment was in Miami, where his children were raised. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1964. He joked that while living in Miami, he had been a hearse driver and while working at a hotel there, met Jackie Gleason.
Following retirement, he traveled extensively before moving to Florence in 1996. He loved his church, his girls and their families, and the opportunity to visit with others.
He is survived by his daughters Susan D. Gebhardt and husband Dr, Carl Gebhardt, Florence, Ann D. McQuinn and husband Jim, Orlando, Florida, and Glenda Loth, Orlando, Florida; grandchildren Chris and Eric Gebhardt, Jennifer and Stuart West, Wendy Loth and Leitha Christiano; great-grandchildren, Chloe and Emily Waid.
Members of the family will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Florence.
Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family. You are invited to sign the on-line guest register at www.elkinsfh.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nathaniel Duke, please visit our flower store.
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