Jack Duke

Jack Leonard Duke, age 96, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023. He was born in Mound City, MO to the late William and Carrie (Sharp) Duke on May 24, 1926. Jack moved to Kalamazoo as a young boy where he began his education at McKinley Elementary School. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1944 and went on to graduate from Western Michigan University in 1948 after being drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1946. Jack also graduated from the University of Michigan Business School in 1950. He married Betty Jean Huston on September 8, 1948, in Kalamazoo. Jack enjoyed working in accounting and real estate. He was an avid reader and kept up on world events and politics through the newspaper and tv news. He also enjoyed managing his two businesses, Dougherty’s Corner Market and Cooper Apartments.

Survivors include his children, Kathryn (Larry) Johnston and Leonard (Katie) Duke; 5 grandchildren, Lisa (Marc Wilson) Lefanty, Nicole (David) Fix, James (Ashley) Duke, Jesse (Katie) Duke, and Hannah Duke; as well as 8 great-grandchildren. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Duke in 2017.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 3926 S 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 with visitation from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm. There will be a luncheon to follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of SW Michigan) in memory of Jack. To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com