Nelson Dukes, son of Lurton Dukes and Katherine Gunter Dukes of Spencer, Okla., was born on Sept. 6, 1937, at Morley and died on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, in the Missouri Southern Healthcare at Dexter at the age of 67.

Mr. Dukes was employed as a courier at First Midwest Bank in Dexter, a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter, and a resident of Dexter.

On March 24, 1979, he was united in marriage to Tommye Jo Calvert at Ironton. Mrs. Dukes survives of the home in Dexter.

Besides his parents, Lurton and Katherine Dukes of Spencer, Okla., and his wife, Tommy Jo Dukes of Dexter, other survivors include four sons, Mitchell Dukes of Perryville, Stephen Dukes and wife Sherri of Tracy, Calif., Drew Dukes and wife Debbie of Sacramento, Calif., and Randy Dukes of Illinois; two daughters, Shannon Miller of O'Fallon and Robin Rickman and husband Tony of Dexter; three brothers, David Dukes of Texas, Oron Dukes of Dexter, and Morrie Dukes of Los Angeles, Calif.; three sisters, Patricia Moore of Rose Bud, Faye Dukes of Spencer, Okla., and Linda Penny of Albuquerque, N.M.; and 11 grandchildren.

Mr. Dukes was preceded in death by one sister, Debbie Kanaly.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter with Rev. Fred Leist officiating.

Interment will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church in Dexter or the Stoddard County Children's Home Memorial Tribute Fund.

Paid