Johnny Don Duke

Johnny Don “Papa” Duke, 67, of Splendora, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, October 24, 2015, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2015, at the Splendora Countryside UMC, in Splendora with services concluding thereafter. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Splendora FFA alumni, P.O. Box 621, Splendora, Texas 77372. Johnny was born May 3, 1948 in Cleveland, to parents; John Duke and Mattie Thornton Yarbrough Duke, and has been a lifelong resident of Splendora. He was a graduate of the Splendora High School class of 1966, and received his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Arts from Sam Houston State in 1970. He worked as a program analyst, drove for Freight Services as a Teamster for 25 years, and completed his career as a teacher in Splendora ISD after 12 years of employment. Johnny loved and protected his family unconditionally; he could fix anything he attempted. He also enjoyed farming, fishing, carpentry, and especially his tractor time. Mr. Duke was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife: Nelda Denton Duke, daughter: Elizabeth “Beth” Duke, brother: Glen Yarbrough, and sister: Ethel Jeffcoat. He is survived by his wife of nine years: Judy L. Campbell Duke of Splendora, son: Daryl J. Duke and wife Kelley of Splendora, stepson: Justin White of Arizona, stepdaughters: Rebecca White Lee and husband Philip of Midland, and Sandra Aborn of Memphis, brother: Earl Yarbrough and wife Zettie of Huffman, sister: Jean Chappell and husband Dick of California, sister-in-law: Barbara Yarbrough of Huffman, mother’s-in-law: Wanda Springer and Dorothy Simmons, grandchildren: John D. Duke, James Duke, Morgan Duke, Clay Aborn, Spencer Aborn, Emmalyn Lee, and Benjamin Lee, special friends: Carl and Lynda Coleman, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Leave your thoughts and memories for the family in the guestbook at www.pacestancil.com PACE-STANCIL FUNERAL HOME 303 E. CROCKETT CLEVELAND, TEXAS 281-592-2641