Charles Wesley Duke

Charles Wesley Duke, 76, of Jefferson, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Sunday February 9, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.

Charles was born in Rome, Georgia on October 25, 1948 to Katherine and Harry G. Duke, JR. He graduated from South Habersham High School in 1966. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Shorter College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.

He proudly enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he learned histology. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to Vietnam as a combat medic stationed near Danang Air Base where he courageously accompanied patrols with search and destroy units in addition to caring for wounded soldiers, stabilizing them for evacuation. He was awarded with many honors including National Defense Service Medal, Expert Badge (M-16 Rifle), Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and 1st Class Badge (Hand Grenade). He proudly and honorably served the United States Army in active duty for just under three years as Specialist 5 rank with the Army Medical Department.

Upon discharge from active duty, he enrolled at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia where he earned a Masters in Administration and went on to have the distinguished offer from the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) to travel to Saudi Arabia for inspection and acceptance of a prestigious hospital. After acceptance of the hospital by the HCA, he was recruited to stay and run the lab, where he remained for the next three years. During this time, he married his wife Beverly, who happily moved to Saudi Arabia to support him. After returning home to the U.S., he went on to manage several hospital labs before accepting a position at Athens Regional Medical Center where he proudly worked in the lab, retiring after sixteen years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Post 56 Jefferson, Georgia as well as a member of the Post 56 Legion Riders. He and his wife Beverly were dedicated members of First Baptist Church in Jefferson, Georgia.

In his free-time, he was an avid antique car enthusiast and enjoyed rebuilding numerous antique cars. He also enjoyed woodworking and crafted several unique pieces of furniture.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Hawthorne Duke Cooper, father, Harry G. Duke, JR, and grandparents, Charles and Annie Hawthorne.

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Beverly Duke, son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Adrienne Mote, brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Nina Duke, Brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Jordan Cooper, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Randall and Carol Abernathy, brother-in-law, Michael Abernathy, grandchildren, Haven and Caleb Clippinger, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel. Rev. Matt Long and Rev. Bob Stites will officiate. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery Main.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/ or Dementia Society of America at https:// www.dementiasociety.org/donate to honor the life of Charles and to continue his unwavering dedication to serving others.

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