Dr. Don DeWindle Duke Sr.'s Obituary
Don DeWindle Duke, Sr., M.D., died peacefully with his beloved wife, Marilyn, by his side and surrounded by family on July 25, 2022.
Dr. Duke was born in Olive Hill, TN, to Benjamin Roosevelt Duke and Nona Beryleen Alexander Duke on April 13, 1929.
The family moved to Portageville, MO, and upon graduation, he attended Southeast Missouri State College and later St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences. After enlisting in the United States Air Force, Dr. Duke requested a position in Intelligence, where he learned Russian and served in Germany during the Korean War under the National Security Administration, Washington, D.C. When he returned, he pursued his passion for medicine by attending the University of Missouri, earning his BA in Chemistry, and attending medical school at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, graduating in 1961. Dr. Duke remained in Memphis, TN, through his rotating internship and his residence in general surgery at Methodist Hospital. In 1966, the New England Journal of Medicine published a case report written by Dr. Duke. The same year, he began his private practice of general surgery at all major hospitals in Memphis. During his years of practice, he maintained a membership in the Tennessee Medical Association and Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society, was a member of the Memphis Surgical Society and American Medical Association, and chaired committees at several Memphis hospitals. Dr. Duke was honored to serve as Chief of Surgery of Doctors Hospital in Memphis, TN, from 1977-1978 and 1980-1981. Appealing to his love for aviation, he was appointed by the Regional Flight Surgeon to be Medical Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration from 1970-1991. He retired from surgery in 1991. Dr. Duke was well-known in Memphis as a gifted surgeon, but he is remembered and loved for his friendly and compassionate demeanor toward patients and those with whom he worked. In addition to his passion for practicing medicine, Dr. Duke was proud to call farming his second occupation. He farmed soybeans, wheat, hay, and cattle in Fayette County, TN. Though his accomplishments are great, Dr. Duke was most proud of his family.
Dr. Duke is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn. They would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in August. Together they have three children: Rene’ Conley (Bill), Don Duke Jr. (Candace), and Pal Duke (Susanne). They also have five grandchildren: Bob Conley, Lauren Griffin (Grant), Audrey Duke, Benjamin Duke, and Ashton Duke. In addition to these roles, Dr. Duke was an avid hunter, private pilot, and experienced skier on both snow and water. He enjoyed traveling, particularly when it included his family. Dr. Duke will be remembered as a lifelong learner, diligent and dedicated to his passions; a loving husband, father, and grandfather; and a congenial and compassionate friend to all.
The Duke Family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, July 31, 2022 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home in the Riverside Chapel. Funeral Services for Dr. Duke will be held privately.
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