DUKE, PAUL O. - Saline County, Arkansas | PAUL O. DUKE - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

Paul O. DUKE

Pinecrest Memorial Park and Garden Mausoleum Cemetery
Saline County,
Arkansas

Paul O. Duke
March 3, 1918 August 19, 1981

Section 10

Arkansas Democrat, Thursday, August 20, 1981

Alderman loses life to cancer
By Rhonda Owen
Democrat Staff Writer

North Little Rock Alderman Paul O. Duke, 63, who
served on the City Council for almost 20 years, died at
5:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Riverview Medical Center
where he was hospitalized Sunday.
Duke had suffered from cancer since last summer when
a malignant tumor was discovered on his leg. His leg was
amputated Aug. 24, 1980.
A month after the operation, Duke was up and about
and continued to conduct city business until his death on
Wednesday.
When interviewed shortly after the operation, Duke had
said "I've always had guts. I just didn't let it disturb me
mentally, and I didn't sit around and mope about it."

DUKE WAS first elected to the City Council in 1957 and
served as 3rd Ward alderman until 1972, when he was de-
feated by Arthur "Art" Eastham.
He entered politics again in 1978 and defeated H.R.
"Rich" Lumpkin to regain his 3rd Ward position.
North Little Rock City Hall was quiet Wednesday.
"We're all feeling kind of weepy," City Clerk Jackie Nell
said. Mrs. Nell, who has worked for the city since 1944,
had been friends with Duke throughout his political
career.

"HE LIVED his life like he fought in the (boxing) ring - by
the rules," Mrs. Nell said.
Duke was a professional boxer after he graduated from
North Little Rock High School in 1936. During his three
years in the ring, he lost only three bouts.

A RESOLUTION to commemorate Duke for his service
to the city has been placed on the City Council agenda for
its meeting Monday night.

The resolution states that during Duke's public career,
he earned the "respect and admiration of everyone and
became renown for his firm and forceful championship of
less fortunate individuals."

Mayor Reed Thompson said City Hall would be closed
at 2 p.m. today so city employees could attend Duke's funeral.

The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Gethsemane
Baptist Church in North Little Rock and burial will be at
Pinecrest Cemetery by Owens Funeral Home.

DUKE HAD worked for 39 years for Missouri-Pacific
Railroad, and was an engineer for the railroad when his leg
was amputated.

He is survived by his wife, Loyce West Duke; his sons
Danny and David Duke of North Little Rock; a daughter, Miss
Paula Jo Duke of North Little Rock; a stepson, Randy Crowell
of Conway; three sisters, Mrs. Melva Hall and Mrs. Betty Sarver
of North Little Rock; Mrs. Eloise Hunt of Arcadia, La.; and
seven grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Jay Douglas, Glen Bowman, Jerry
Tomlin, former Mayor Casey Laman, Pat Bailey, George Dial,
Bill Johnson and Ralph Guess.

The family asked that memorials be made to the
Gethsemane Baptist Church Van Fund.

*Obituary provided by Robert Stroupe

Contributed on 10/20/08 by pvhwdh
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Record #: 82203

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Additional DUKE Surnames in PINECREST MEMORIAL PARK AND GARDEN MAUSOLEUM Cemetery

Additional DUKE Surnames in SALINE County

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Submitted: 10/20/08 • Approved: 5/29/11 • Last Updated: 8/27/12 • R82203-G0-S3

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