Harold Duke, 96, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Harold was born on March 12, 1927, to Sidney Duke and Eva Fox Duke, in June, Missouri. As a teenager, Harold worked at Pet-Milk and then worked as a milkman in the Ritchie area. He then moved his family to Carthage to work at Carthage Marble. Finally, Harold worked as a forklift operator at Carthage Underground until he retired. He was a proud owner of his fully self-restored 1939 Chevy. He loved taking his wife in his car to many Car Shows and Car Cruises in the area, earning over 300 trophies. He had a passion for decorating his car for the Maple Leaf Parade and Christmas Holiday parades throughout the many surrounding areas. Harold was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa. His family was his greatest treasure and loved being with them.
Harold was united in marriage to Ava Martin for 62 years; she preceded him in death.
Harold is survived by his daughter, Carolyn (Ray) Chavez; two grandchildren, Brandon Horine and Britney Horine Skinner; two great-grandchildren Hayden Skinner and Cade Skinner all of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and one sister, Helen Duke Mitchell of Neosho, Missouri.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Duke and Eva Fox Duke; his wife, Ava Martin Duke; daughter, Beverly Duke; three brothers, Charles Duke, Ralph Duke, Larry Duke; and three sisters, Dolly Jean Duke, Ilene Duke Linville, and Lillian Duke Burr.
There will be a visitation for Harold Duke from 12:30 to 1:30 PM, on Saturday, December 30, 2023. The service will be held directly after the visitation at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 30, 2023. Both visitation and service will be held at the Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri. The burial will be at Hazelgreen Cemetery in Boulder City, Missouri, where he will be laid to rest next to his wife and daughter.
Condolences may be made online at www.ulmerfh.com.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
