Alton Franklin Duke

Alton Franklin Duke, 78, Winter Haven, Florida formerly of Henderson passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the Winter Haven Hospital due to surgery complications. He was the youngest of Benny and Clarise Stinson Duke, born in Lewisburg, Kentucky, on September 9, 1933. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Joann Long Duke (1991), his partner in church development, real estate, and travel (he drove his family to all 48 states); their two children, Chad Alton (2011) and Tammy Jo (2007); his second wife, Barbara C. Butler (1996), and finally his two sisters, Georgia Duke and Juanita Duke Hill. Frank loved the Lord and considered his most important privilege as being His servant. He helped start Haven Pentecostal Church of Henderson with Brother Willard Clements and served in the mission field with his son, Chad, and wife “Jo-Momma” in Haiti during several summers. He was a true entrepreneur with endeavors as a licensed real estate agent, oil well developer and investor, and the owner of the Henderson Hotel for several years. He worked for Mead Johnson, was superintendent of Welborn Hospital’s expansion plan, and was in management with Big Rivers and Alcoa from where he retired. As a veteran of the United States Navy, he served our country from 1950 to 1954 on the USS Sperry that worked on submarines. He was truly gifted when it came to working with machinery. As machines were so fascinating to him, he had a small collection of old cars which he dearly loved. He had a saying, “if I had the money, I would trade cars every 6 months—and houses every two years!” He just had a way with words—and could tell the best stories! Survivors include his wife, Lou Helen Arnold Duke; his granddaughters Bethany Duke Scruggs and Faith Pease Whitmer; stepchildren Claudia (Bunnie) and husband Joel Stocking and Joel T. Arnold; brother-in law Mack Craddock and wife Betty; step-grandchildren include Jonathan J. Stocking and Emma J. Dunn , 2 great-grandchildren and 4 step-great grandsons as well as several nieces and nephews. Services will be at Haven Pentecostal Church, Henderson, at 10 am on Saturday, June 9. Bro. Willard Clements will be officiating. Entombment will be at Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson. Friends may call from 2 to 7 on Friday, June 8, at Tomblinson Funeral Home Henderson chapel. There will also be a memorial service at the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ located at Eagle Lake, Florida, on June 23 at 2 pm. The church is located on the corner of Hunt and Bomber Road near the Bartow Air Base. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Haven Pentecostal Church in Henderson or the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ located in Eagle Lake, Florida. Pallbearers are: James Scruggs, Adam Whitmer, Jeff Long, Greg Long, Joel Arnold, Joel Stocking, Jonathan Stocking, and Jason Dunn. Honorary Pallbearers are: Bro Clements; Phil Wagoner; Tony Frederick; Clete Clements; the First Baptist Son-Risers Sunday School Class.