Bobby K. Duke

Services for Mr. Bobby K. Duke, 91, of Darrouzett, TX will be at 10:30 a.m. March 11, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Darrouzett, TX with Rev. Don Travis, officiating and Kevin Burns, assisting. Burial will follow at Lipscomb Cemetery in Lipscomb, TX under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, TX. Bob passed away Friday, March 8, 2013 in Canadian, TX. Bob was born on the family farm about 10 miles south of Darrouzett on April 29, 1921 to the late Mr. Basil A. Duke Sr. and Mrs. Gladys M. (Rice) Duke, while Basil was in search of the country doctor. Bob and his brother Basil Jr. became the shade tree mechanics at an early age as they were given a choice of riding a horse to school or driving a Model T Ford, and they chose to drive even though the car required a lot of maintenance. At age 5, he started driving to the Second Creek country and then to the Lipscomb school. The family moved to Darrouzett where Bob attended high school and worked part time for area farmers. Upon graduating from Darrouzett, he took the job of driving a semi-fuel transport for the Darrouzett Coop. He also helped his father, who was heavily engaged in a cattle operation at that time. During his evenings and weekends, his enjoyment was automobiles as he continued to repair and work on his own as well as neighbors and friends. During the late 40s and early 50s, while he farmed, he also worked for Lehman Motor Company in Booker repairing and selling parts, as well as, selling cars. In 1947, he began flight instruction under his high school friend, Dean Terrel, which developed into another pastime, the love of flying. On October 7, 1956, he married the love of his life, Bessie Lee Fausset Altmiller. In 1959, Bob, Bessie Lee, Sherrie, Coeta, and Brad moved to the family farm 3 miles south of Darrouzett. It was there where Kay, Barbara, and Robert would also call home. During that time on the homestead, Bob worked hard to train the six children to have a strong work ethic and pass on his mechanical abilities as well as, teaching them honesty and integrity. Bob was a lifelong resident of Lipscomb County except for a few months that he spent at Wichita Engineering School in Wichita Falls, where he obtained more technical mechanics skills. He was known to help family, friends, and relatives when they had troubles with their cars as well as, another hobby of collecting cars along with other memorabilia. In his later years he enjoyed going to watch his grandkids in whatever they were participating in. He was a member of the Darrouzett First United Methodist Church and a past member of the Wolf Creek Heritage Museum. He is preceded in death by his step son-in-law Randy Burns. He is survived by his wife, Bessie Lee of Darrouzett, TX; two sons, Kay Duke and wife Michele and Robert Duke and wife Charlene all of Darrouzett, TX; one daughter, Barbara Slatton and husband Ricky of Amarillo, TX; one step-son, Brad Altmiller and wife Mary of Darrouzett, TX; two step-daughters, Sherrie Burns of Amarillo, TX; Coeta Rhodes and husband Rick of Weatherford, TX; his brother, Basil Duke Jr. of Edmond, OK; 7 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren, as well as, many cousins, nephews and nieces, along with a host of friends. The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 25, Darrouzett, TX 79024 or Gideon’s International, Perryton Texas Camp, P.O. Box 254, Perryton, TX 79070.