Jack Duke

Jack Duke, age 85, resident of Phenix City, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika, Alabama.  Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, 3738 US Hwy 431N, Phenix City, Alabama on Friday, August 14, 2020, 1:30 p.m. (EST) with Reverend Eugene Ennis, Reverend Clay Duck, and Reverend Daniel Wrenn officiating.  Interment will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m (EST).

Mr. Duke, son of the late Thomas Jefferson Duke and Lela Mae Marsden Duke, was born August 6, 1935 in Phenix City.  He was owner and operator of Duke Quality Service where he served the Columbus/Phenix City area for several years until he retired.  Mr. Duke was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church and also a member of Pipefitters and Steamfitters Union #91.  He is a man who love to fish and sing, referred by many as “Happy Jack,” but most of all he loved his family.  As a teenager, he worked at his dad’s dairy farm and when possible he would roller skate.  In school and even after graduation, he amazed many with his mathematic skills.  Mr. Duke loved his job, and could be counted upon to troubleshoot problems that would arise.  enjoyed cooking for the kids when they were younger and would also surprise his wife with coffee in the mornings.  The family remembers him as a man who would always make others feel like they were family.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Alice Williamson and Marie Rumsey.  Mr. Duke is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Sally Duke of Phenix City; daughter, Kelli Duke Curtis and her husband Bill; three sons, Tommy Duke and his wife Debra, Toby Duke and his wife Chiara, and Troy Duke and his wife Leanne, all of Phenix City; 13 grandchildren, T.J. Duke, Jason Duke, Aliah Sapp, Kara Coleman, Carter Duke, Anna Lea Wrenn, Kevin Duke, April Jacobs, Kristen Williford, Wade Higgins, Matthew Higgins, John Curtis, and Diane Bond; numerous great-grandchildren and expecting more; many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Valley Rescue Mission at www.valleyrescuemission.org or Philadelphia Baptist Church, 7807 Lee Road 246, Smiths Station, Alabama 36877.