David Madison Duke

David Madison Duke of Canadian, OK was born July 29, 1919 in Agnos Arkansas and passed away, Saturday, July 18, 2015, at his home. After spending his youth on small farms in Arkansas and Oklahoma, he was off to fight in World War II in the European Theater. He entered the Army in April 1943, serving in the gun crew of Battery D. 120th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Eight days after D-Day his unit went ashore in France. After nearly a year of "moving up", a support of tanks and infantry took the battalion through France, Holland, Luxemburg and finally Germany. The unit was awarded several medals and battle ribbons including one Silver Service Star. After returning home from war in 1946 to Checotah, OK, he met Dortha Mae Hallum and they eloped to Ft. Smith, Arkansas on May 18, 1946. In 1947, David joined his parents in Canadian to operate a General Store and Texaco Station along US Highway 69. They sold groceries, lumber, hardware, plumbing items, clothing items and all kind of animal feed. It was a popular stop for semi-trucks in the 50"s and 60"s as they also made sandwiches and had a big picnic table under a shade tree which gave the drivers a chance to rest and sleep. At noon the store was full of kids, as the local school was only a block away. David and Dortha were very well known and respected in the area. David operated this business until 1989 working twelve hours days and open 6 ½ days a week most of those years. In retirement David enjoyed lots of fishing and got to travel some and made a small garden each year. David was a charter member of the Canadian Lions Club. In the 60"s, he served as a founding member of the Canadian-Crowder Water Works. As more Federal programs became available to help small towns, he joined the City Council and served as Mayor for 16 years, overseeing major street improvements and installation of the town"s sewer system. He was a member of the Canadian Church of Christ. David is survived by his wife Dortha of the home and 4 children-Colette Tucker and husband Mac, Larry David Duke and wife Patty, Gaylene Weathers and husband Doug, Karen Easley and husband Loyd, 7 grandchildren, Brent Duke, Heather Duke, Shawn Westbrooks, Bradley Weathers, Bret Weathers, Brody Easley, Jordyn Easley and 11 great grandchildren, 4 sisters Texie Massengale, Mary Lou Borum, Kathryn Cannon, Leota Cole and sister-in-law, Sally Duke. He was preceded in death by his parents Mordy Edward and Anna B. Duke, 2 brothers L.D. Duke and Clifton Duke, 2 sisters Tracy Minor Finley and Mardell Rapp.