Fredrick Thomas Duke Sr.
Fredrick Thomas Duke, 83, passed away unexpectedly on July 3, 2019. He left his loving family and returned to many loved ones and friends anxiously awaiting his arrival. Fred was born on October 31, 1935, the lil’ spook, in Heber, Utah to Irene Hattie Ash and Darwin Crook Duke. He was the sweet, spoiled baby of 4 children with 2 brothers and a sister.
When he was a young boy he moved from Utah to Arizona. During his earlier school years he attended a Catholic school. This was a good decision as he met many lifelong friends there. Fred went to Mesa High School and graduated in 1953. He enjoyed automotive classes and playing on the boys tennis team.
In May 1961 he married Patricia Ann Davis. They raised nine children in Mesa AZ and were later sealed in the Mesa temple in October 1975. Fred was a faithful husband and dedicated father.
From the time he was a very small boy he had a love of all things that had a motor and four wheels. He worked with his older brother, Dale, at Hayes Dealership and other places of employment, which influenced his career path. He also owned his own repair shop. He continued to learn automotive repair and restoration by attending Phoenix Technical and Eastern Arizona Colleges. Fred received a degree in Industrial Arts from ASU and his vocational certification from NAU.
He was hired by Mesa Public Schools where he was employed for 27 years teaching first at Mesa High and later at Mesa Vo Tech. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and had a tremendous impact on the students and faculty. Fred became the department head expanding the program to include auto upholstery and auto body along with the mechanics courses. He also taught upholstery classes at night for Rio Salado Community College.
Throughout his life he had a passion for classic cars, restoring many of them to masterpieces. He was especially fond of Packards and has owned several. As a member of the Packard club, he served as the president for a time. Fred also owned a NSU dealership for a couple of years in the 60’s.
Fred was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Along with serving a full-time mission to the Northern States he also served two stake missions with his wife, Pat. They served at Randolph, AZ and at LDS Family Services. Among his many callings, Fred served as a Temple Worker in the Provo Utah temple, a Scout Leader and a devoted Home Teacher.
He had many wonderful talents and abilities. Fred had a love of fishing and hunting which he shared with his children and grandchildren. He was without guile and will always be remembered for his unfailing patience, gentleness, kindness and his welcoming smile. Fred was a people person who made friends wherever he went. He was easy to please and saw the good in every situation. His family was always in stitches with his quick wit and well told jokes.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Davis, parents, brothers, Dale Alma Duke and Don Carl Duke, a sister, Ellen (Duke) Lunt, a granddaughter, Korrina Marie Gibson and a great-granddaughter Amy Joyce LeSueur. He is survived by his children, Duane (Annette) Gibson, Terryl (Carolyn) Gibson, Lucinda (Kim) Echols, Tricia (Nathan) Berrett, Alana (Jim) Niemela, Fred Jr. (Shannon) Duke,
Darwin (Connie) Duke, Jon (Danielle) Duke and Glen (Stacie) Duke. He will be deeply missed by each one and also by his 50 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held, Saturday July 13th, 2019 at 10 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints building at 2717 E Ocotillo Rd. San Tan Valley, AZ. A viewing will be held prior to the service from
9:00-9:40 AM Condolences may be sent to family members at horizonfuneralcare.com
