DUKE, Leroy Andrew "Andy" - b. January 18, 1942 - d. January 11, 2021

[patyrn]

Leroy Andrew "Andy" Duke, 78, of Independence, Kansas, went to be with the Lord on January 11, 2021.  He passed peacefully in his home with his wife by his side. He was born January 18, 1942 in Independence, Kansas to Royal and Pearl Duke.

Andy attended Independence schools from K-12th grade.  When he was 19 years old, he loved a couple of years with his Aunt Vi and Uncle Bill Joy who were like a second set of parents.  Later, he went on to serve in the United States Army from 1964 to 1966.  He and Geneva Mossman were joined in marriage in 1964, and they lived in Kentucky and Tennessee during his military service.  Their first son was born at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky in 1965.  In January 1966, they returned to Oak Valley, Kansas where they made their home and raised their seven children.  They moved to rural Independence, Kansas in 2019 to be closer to his grandkids.

Andy worked for Echlin (ACC) for 8 1/2 years while also farming and raising cattle.  He was a proud member of the Cattleman's Association.  In 1974, he took a job in the oil fields as a supervisor for Traverse Corp. near Longton, Kansas, later building his own pulling unit business.  In 1985, he sold his oil rig and took a job with Emerson Electric until retirement in 1999.

Among his many hobbies, Andy loved hunting, fishing, and woodworking.  He also enjoyed his antique car, a 1959 Plymouth Sports Fury.  He took great pride in his kids and grandkids and spent every moment he could with them.  He especially enjoyed when his grandkids would come out to wood carve with him as well as when they played their guitars and sang his favorite songs.  Over the years, he made around 200 canes and gave them away to family, friends, and anyone he found in need of one.  One of his canes is even on display in the Independence Museum.  He also made around 1,000 crosses and gave them to nearly everyone he encountered, his way of spreading the love of Jesus.  He never knew a stranger; he always enjoyed sitting on the bench in Walmart to visit with people while his wife shopper.

Andy was lovingly known by friends and family as "the cat with nine lives". He survived many near-death experiences; a car acident as  a teenager,  hunting accident, going through a power takeoff on a tractor, falling through the old iron bridge in Oak Valley on a tractor, being electrocuted by 440 volts of electricity in the oil fields, a heart attack, and many other incidents.  He knew that it was God who had kept him safe through each peril, and he often spoke about the healing power of faith and prayer.  He was a longtime member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Independence, Kanss, and for the past few years, he attended Hazeldell Southern Baptist Church in rural Cherryvale, Kansas.  In recent years, his health had been failing him, but he put up a tough fight all the way up- until the Lord called him home.

Andy is survived by his wife, Geneva Duke; four sons and three daughters, Leroy Jr. "Rusty" (Susan) Duke of Cherryvale, Kansas, Rocky Duke of Panama City, Beach, Florida, Randy Duke of Oak Valley, Kansas, Ronda Fischer of Oak Valley, Kansas, RaDonna Claibourn of Des Moines, Iowa, Raymond (Kayla) Duke of Copan, Oklahoma, and Rachelle (Tony) Henry of Cherryvale, Kansas; 22 grandchildren; three sisters, Robin Shull, Bessie Duke, and Rosemary Hull; and three brothers, Jim Duke, Larry Duke, and Rodney Duke; sisters-in-law, Ruth (Loyd) Dozier, Doris Larsh, and Elaine Mossman.  He was preceded in death by his prents, Royal and Pearl Duke; three brothers, Bobby, Charles, and John Duke; and a brother-in-law, Al Mossman.

A private Celebration of Life service with military honors will be held t a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances are suggested to the Ralph Mitchell Zoo, one of Andy's favorite places.  They may be sent to Zacn Webb Family Funeral Services, 1475 S. 10th, Independence, Kansas 67301 who have been entrusted with arrangements.  Condolences for the family may be left online at www.webbfamilyfuneralservice.com.

(taken from the Webb Family Funeral Home website)