Robert Malcolm Duke, Sr.

Mr. Robert Malcolm Duke, Sr., age 99 years and 11 months, passed away Friday, October 15, 2010 at his daughter's home, with Linda, Della Bell and Sylvia Ortega by his side.

Mr. Duke was preceded in death by his wife, Aziel E. Morris Duke, and his parents, General J. and Mina Smithson Duke. Malcolm, as he was called in his youth, was born in Readyville, Cannon County, Tennessee on November 10, 1910. He attended the Jacksboro School, and after moving to Chattanooga in 1918, he attended the Jefferson Street Grade School and Central High School.

After his marriage to Aziel in 1937, they moved to Chicago, IL where they lived during World War II. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Indianapolis, IN. where they resided until Aziel’s death in October 2003. Mr. Duke then moved to Rocky Face, GA. to live with his daughter, Linda and her husband, Tom.

Mr Duke worked in the electrical supply and repair business, working for various businesses in Indianapolis such as P. R. Mallory, Thomas & Skinner, Adkins Saw, Moran Electric, McBroom Electric and A-1 Compressor before establishing his own electrical supply and repair business, Horsepower, Inc., later renamed Bob Duke Electric Co., Inc.

He was a kind and loving father, and is remembered for his generosity of time, self, stories of his childhood, and his love of horses, family history and his genuine photographic ability. Our family has lost its patriarch and foundation and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughters, Linda (Thomas) Brewster of Rocky Face and A. Yvonne (Dr, Martin A.) Skelly of Strasburg, CO; son, Robert M. (Barbara) Duke, Jr. of Montgomery, AL.; dear friend and companion, Della Bell of Walker County, GA. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, Kevin D. (Debbie) Brewster of Lawrence, IN., Kenneth D. Brewster of Seattle, WA., Karen (John) Moser of Mesa, AZ., J. C. Engdahl of Golden, CO., David (Judy) Engdahl of Bennett, CO. and Malcolm W. (Caroline) Duke of Dallas TX. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Morgon (Lauren) Duke, Mallory Duke, John Eric (Debbie) Engdahl and their 3 children; and step-great-grandchildren, Jolene Nelson (Engdahl), Jason Trinh, Jamie Trinh and step-great-great-grandchild, Christian Trinh; two cousins, Luree McBroom Tenpenny of Woodbury, TN. and Homer McBroom of Murfreesboro, TN.

Calling will be at Love Funeral Home one day only, Sunday October 17, 2010 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center, 5215 N. Shadeland Ave. Indianapolis, IN. 46226.

Burial will be in Our Lady of Peace Catholic Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN. where he will be laid to rest next to his wife of 66 years, Aziel M. Duke.

Linda and Tom wish to express their love and thanks to Mrs. Bell for her dedication and devotion to Mr. Duke during the last years of his life. Her love and companionship undoubtedly added years to his life, and for that we will be forever grateful.

The family requests donations to the American Heart Association, 519 E. 4th St., Chattanooga, TN. 37403 or to one’s favorite charity in memory of Mr. Duke or St. Luke Catholic Church, Indianapolis, IN. where Mr. and Mrs. Duke were former members.

Linda and Tom want to thank Amedisys Hospice of Dalton for their wonderful care during Mr. Duke’s final illness. His nurse Shaloy and aide Sylvia will long be remembered for their loving kindness.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.

Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.