Gerald Duke

Gerald Olin Duke, 75, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on June 22nd with his family by his side. Gerald was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He possessed a caring and gentle spirit throughout his life and served as a positive influence on his family and countless other lives that crossed his path. He rarely met a stranger and when he did, they were a stranger no longer. He loved his time visiting with friends at the Irondale Senior Center. He continued to be a warm, cheerful, and steady presence in his family and at all family gatherings. He will truly be missed. Gerald was born on a small farm in Wetumpka, Alabama on November 13, 1935 and attended Wetumpka High School. After graduating from Alabama Christian College in Montgomery, Gerald received a degree in education from Auburn University in 1957. On May 22, 1965, he married Betty King, his wife of 46 years, and continued to reside in Birmingham where they raised their son together. Gerald was a long time and faithful member of Roebuck Parkway Church of Christ. He retired after 30 years of service from the Alabama State Highway Department. He is preceded in death by his mother, Pauline (White) Duke, and his father Homer C. Duke. He is survived by his wife, Betty (King) Duke, son, John David Duke (Tonya), and his two grandsons, Dagan and Logan. Services will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Roebuck Parkway Church of Christ at 12:00pm with visitation one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Sylacauga, AL at 4:00 PM on Saturday. Great appreciation is expressed to the medical staff of Trinity Hospital for his care throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rainbow Omega, an organization providing programs for adults with developmental disabilities. P. O. Box 740, Eastaboga, Alabama, 36260 (256)831-0919. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.