Rufus “Gary” Duke || Obituary

Rufus “Gary” Duke, 78, of Paris, Texas passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, after a brave battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Gary was born September 8, 1946, with his twin brother in Roxton, Texas. He attended Roxton schools and graduated from Paris High School in 1965. He served in the United States Navy for two years and was deployed aboard the USS MacDonough guided missile destroyer. Upon release from active duty, he served in the Reserves for two additional years. After the Navy, Gary attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. After coming back home to Texas, he went to work for the Department of Human Resources where he was a supervisor for many years before opening his own insurance and estate planning business. Gary Duke and Associates helped many families set up estate plans and navigate the nursing home process until his retirement in
2015.

In 1966, Gary married Ellen Jane Henry of Paris, TX. At the time of his passing, they had been married 58 years. Gary is survived by his wife, Janie Duke, his daughter, Jill Jameson and her husband Derek of Paris, TX, and his son, Kirk Duke and his wife, Shona of Paris,
TX, two granddaughters, Cheyenne House and her husband, Brett, of Paris, TX and Lexi Harley, and her husband, Callum, of Slate Shoals, TX, as well as four great grandchildren, Jack, John and Paisley Thomas and Henry Harley.

He is also survived by his two brothers, Ronnie Duke and his wife, Marlene, of Alba, TX and his twin brother, Robert Duke, of Richardson, TX, and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Tommie Duke of Roxton, TX, father and mother-in-law, Hal and Jessie Henry of Paris, TX and sister-in law, Ruth Ann Duke of Richardson, TX.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 1:00pm at Fry & Gibbs followed by the funeral service at 2:00pm with interment following at Meadowbrook Cemetery.