RALPH LAWRENCE (KILLER) DUKES Central City-Ralph Lawrence Dukes, 85, died Monday, November 14, 2011 at Muhlenberg Community Hospital in Greenville. Born in Muhlenberg County on January 5, 1926, he was the son of Jess and Marjorie Gish Dukes. He was raised in Cherry Hill and attended Cherry Hill Schools. He lived the last few yearsContinue Reading
RALPH LAWRENCE (KILLER) DUKES Central City-Ralph Lawrence Dukes, 85, died Monday, November 14, 2011 at Muhlenberg Community Hospital in Greenville. Born in Muhlenberg County on January 5, 1926, he was the son of Jess and Marjorie Gish Dukes. He was raised in Cherry Hill and attended Cherry Hill Schools. He lived the last few years of his life there as well. He was known to most as “Killer” and was a licensed boxer with the State Athletic Board of Control in Louisville, KY during the late 1940’s. He was a retired coal miner having worked at Gibraltar Peabody Mines for 33 years. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Marine Corp from March 1944 to May 1946. He was a qualified rifle sharpshooter and participated in action against the enemy on Okinawa from April to July 1945. He was honorably discharged as corporal on May 6, 1946. He was an avid golfer and was able to play up until two years ago. He was a charter member of the Central City County Club where he was also greens keeper for several years as well as serving as board member. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Carlene McKinney Dukes on November 17, 1994, a daughter Laura Diane Green in April 2003, a son Ralph Steven Dukes in September 2009 and a grandson Brandon Dukes in June 1993. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Jane (Ricky) Kipling of Central City; Becky (Brian) Harris of Bristol, TN; a son, Larry (Sharon) Dukes of Floyds Knobs, IN; seven grandchildren, Heather (Doug) Warden of Floyds Knobs, IN; Jason Lear of Covington, KY; Travis Dukes of Nashville, TN; Adrienne Brown and Christina Dukes of Bowling Green; Eli Brown of Central City and Jamie Lear; two step grandchildren; a sister Joyce Vaughn of Pike Road, Alabama; a brother Carroll Dukes; stepmother Irene Dukes of Greenville and long time companion, Jean Dennis. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 18 at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City with visitation from 11 AM to 1 PM. Family burial to follow at Rose Hill. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 810, Memphis, TN 38101-9087 in memory of Ralph and Carlene Dukes. Online condolences may be made at www.tuckerfuneralhomes.com
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