Thomas J. Duke 1945 - 2007

DUKE, BAKER, COPPOCK, COEBURN, MURPHY

Posted By: deb (email)
Date: 9/27/2007 at 19:42:11

The Burlington Hawkeye, 9/10/2007

Thomas Duke
Thomas J. Duke, 61, of Burlington, died at 12:17 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Born Sept. 24, 1945, he was the son of E. Robert and W. Janice Baker Duke. On April 6, 1978, he married Carla Coppock in Buckner, Mo.

Mr. Duke was in farm management and student at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. where he was working on an instructional computer designs master's degree. He was graduate of Burlington High School and served in the Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War. He earned his associates degree at Southeastern Community College and attended Graceland College in Lamoni. He earned his bachelors degree in computer management from the University of Northern Iowa.

He was a member of the Community of Christ of Burlington, where he served as deacon. He was a member of the Peace Corps in India, trustee for Union Township, an officer of Rocks Springs Cemetery and a member of Midwest Renewable Energy Assoc. He was a Boy Scout and a licensed private pilot. As a teenager he worked with Art Hartman on airplanes and later made a number of experimental windmills.

Survivors include his wife; one son, David Duke of Des Moines; one daughter, Elizabeth Coeburn of Hagerstown, Md.; one grandson; one brother, Dale Duke of Soldiers Grove, Wis.; one sister, Sandra Murphy of Burlington; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Cremation has been accorded. He was an organ donor.

Memorial funeral services for Mr. Duke will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at Community of Christ in Burlington. The Rev. Alan Ourth will officiate.

A memorial has been established for Community of Christ of Burlington.