Herman W W “Tex” Dukes, 92, of Comanche, went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ, Saturday, December 26, 2009. Funeral services, under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home of Comanche, will be held in the Heartland Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009, with Bro. Keg Gibson officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in the Oakland Cemetery at Gorman, TX. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Dukes was born November 27, 1917, in Duster, TX, to L.L. and Minnie Iola (McNeely) Dukes. Herman attended school in the Duster community until his final year when he attended and graduated from Gorman High School. In November of 1936, Herman enlisted in the United States Navy beginning a career that lasted 30 years. He retired with 30 years service as Master Chief. Following his retirement, he returned to Comanche and began work for the United States Postal Service, where he again retired after 15 years.
Herman’s travels with the U.S. Navy took him to many parts of the world, including Virginia, Iceland, Panama Canal Zone, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The trip to Norfolk, Va. Was of special note because it was there he met Mildred “Jill” Day. They met on a blind date set up by a family member. Five months later they took a chaperoned trip to Duster, TX, where they were married by Bro. Frank Skaggs in November 1941. “Tex” and “Jill” started their family and had three children, Richard, Ron, and Rita. Herman enjoyed working with kids and coached them in Little League both during military and civilian life. Another hobby enjoyed by Herman was reading and attending auctions.
Herman is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mildred Dukes; sons, Richard Dukes and wife Janice of Comanche, Ron Dukes and wife Janet of Grapevine; daughter, Rita Auvenshine and husband Ronnie of Comanche; grandchildren, Mitchell Dukes and wife Kristi, Deborah and Shanea Dukes, Kimberly Farbisz and husband Ted, Christina Cutsail and husband Kevin; great-grandchildren, Stormy and Rani Dukes, Justin and Jessica Farbisz, and Karysa Cutsail; sister, Hazell Roberts of Montgomery, AL; numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
Donations in honor of Herman W “Tex” Dukes should be made to Sidney Baptist Church, 151 CR 165, Sidney, TX, 76474, or the charity of your choice.