Mr. Nathan Edward "Ned" Duke

Nathan Edward “Ned” Duke, 93, passed away peacefully at his residence, Saturday, February 8, 2020, following a brief illness. Funeral services for Mr. Duke will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of the Fletcher-Day Funeral Home with Dr. Michael Ruffin officiating. Burial will follow in South View Cemetery. The family of Mr. Duke will receive friends at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Mr. Duke was born in Andersonville, Georgia, November 13, 1926, to Joseph Absolom Duke and Jewel Justice. Mr. Duke was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Elliott, and is survived by his children, Cynthia Diane “Cindy” Simpson (Garey), Nathan Edward “Eddie” Duke, Jr. (Teresa), Kelvin Benjamin Duke (Patsy), and Carla Denise Smith (Wes); 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Mr. Duke is also survived by one brother, Buford Earl Duke (Carolyn). He was predeceased by his parents, and siblings: Joseph Warren Duke, Alma Jananne Ludwig, Bertha Nell Loman, Mary Edna Prescott, and Vivian Lavonne Patterson. Mr. Duke attended The Rock Baptist Church. He was proud to be a Master Mason with the Grand Lodge of Georgia, Crawford Lodge No. 689 F. & A. M. for more than 60 years. Mr. Duke served two tours in the United States Army Infantry, during and after WWII, stationed in the Philippine Islands from January 1945 until December 1946. Following his service Mr. Duke and a partner opened and operated Roberta Tire and Retreading in Roberta, GA, where he resided until 1960. Taking advantage of the GI Bill and his love of the land, Mr. Duke completed “On-the-Farm Training ” coursework. Mr. Duke had resided in Upson County for 60 years where he was a successful, independent, and well-known farmer. He was best known for vegetable farming, long before the phrase “farm to table” was coined. For many years, he spent his summers taking several truck-loads per day of home-grown vegetables to the Atlanta Farmers Market in Forest Park, and served on multiple Department of Agriculture Committees as a Farmer’s Representative for improvement of the Markets for the Georgia farmers. Mr. Duke has had articles written on his farming methods, as well as the impact of the US economy and exportation laws, as they related to the small farmer in rural communities throughout the United States. He generously shared his successful methods and insights with anyone who asked and was also a mentor to several young farmers throughout Middle Georgia. While farming full time, Mr. Duke was an Upson County School Bus driver for 30 years, serving students in the Yatesville and Rock Hill Districts. He also worked with the Georgia Farm Products Sales Corporation helping with the livestock auctions and shipping. Mr. Duke was a member of the Upson County Farm Bureau and its Board of Directors for over 40 years; serving for a time on the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Committee for Vegetables. His family, and friends of all ages were, by far, the most valued part of his life. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking and, in years past, many weekly games of Canasta with dear friends. Prior to this recent illness, Mr. Duke was an amazingly active 93 years young, living independently, exercising at the Wellness Center at Upson Regional Medical Center 3 days per week, and sharing breakfasts with dear friends and lunches with his son. The highlight of his week was dinner with family on Sunday after church. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Alzheimer’s Association Central Georgia Regional Office, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com