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Funeral services for Jesse Earl Duke Jr., age 58, will be held at 4:00 P.M., Friday, June 27,2008 at Pace Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Eric Giberson and Jack Roe officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26 from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Interment service will be held on Saturday, June 28th at Bluff Creek Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. He was an active member of The Church House, as well as a member of the York Wright Masons and a Vietnam Veteran. He passed away at his residence, June 23, 2008.
Jesse was born on September 3, 1949 in Livingston, Texas to Jesse Earl Duke Sr., and Georgia Earlene Shoemaker Duke. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, marathon cycling, snorkeling, scuba
ing, and parachuting. Jesse was about to complete his pilot's license.
Jesse Duke served in the United States Army during Vietnam from 31 January 1969 to 19 September 1970. During his service Jesse was awarded the Army Commendation medal in December 1969, the army commendation medal first oak leaf cluster in February 1970, and the Bronze star medal in March 1970, and the Bronze star first oak leaf cluster in September 1970. He also received the National Defense service medal, the Vietnam service medal, and the Vietnam Campaign medal. Jesse was attached to the 25th Infantry Division and received these awards while participating in ground operations in vietnam and Cambodia.
Jesse was preceded in death by his grandparents John Alvin and Jesse Bernice Little of Livingston; father Jesse Earl duke Sr. of Hobbs, New Mexico, nephew Sean Duke of Brazoria, aunt Opal Loftin of Livingston, and brother-in-law Raymond Bourgea of Houston.
Surviving him is his wife Diane Bourgea Duke of Dayton, daughters Jennifer Hernandez of dayton, Shannon Michelle Duke and Fiance' Carlos Solis of Damon, and Louanna and Bryan Castellano of colorado Springs, Colorado. Mother Georgia Earlene Schulz, step-father Marvin Schulz of Brazoria, one brother, Michael Ray Duke and wife Rhonda of Brazoria. Father-in-law, Ray Bourgea and Mother-in-law, Leona Bourgea of Fredericksburg, Texas. Grandchildren, Jewell Trevino of Dayton, Michael and Alexandria Hernandez of Colorado, and antonio and Sinthiana Solis of Damon. One niece, Jessica and Husband Carl Meuth of Jones Creek, Great nephews and niece include Jody, Jayden and Cyiera of Jones Creek, and Aunt Sandra Kimes and Uncle Bobby of Livingston.