Duke was born in Grand Haven, Michigan to Emil Compton and Harriet (Vandenberg) Compton ((deceased). As a Christian, our family gives thanks that he entered heaven for his eternal victory by the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 30, 2019. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed in the Lutheran confession as a young adult.
Duke served his country in the United States Air Force for 25 years, including service in Thailand during the Vietnam War. After AF retirement he worked in various industries; APG Security, LSI Logic and finished his life’s work at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center for El Paso County.
In 1970, Duke met Judith (Judy) Schauland in Little Rock, Arkansas where he was stationed and Judy was serving as a Parish Worker at a Lutheran Church. After a brief courtship they were happily married on June 26 that year and would have been celebrating their 49th anniversary later this month. This union was blessed with three sons, John, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Eric, born at Hahn AB in Germany and Michael, born in Sacramento, CA.
Surviving Duke are his two sisters, Kathy Meyer of Rio Rancho, NM and Pattie Reinwald of Martinsburg, MO and their husbands. Also surviving are his wife, Judy; sons, John (Connie) Compton, Eric Compton, Michael (Danielle) Compton; Grandchildren, Matthew Compton, Brianna Compton, Bailey Compton, Joy Compton and Step-grandsons, Christopher Nauert and Matthew Nauert.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and time to dance” excerpted from Ecclesiastes 3. To God be the Glory!
A Memorial Service will be held at First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs on Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will take place at Pikes Peak National Cemetery on Monday, June 10 at 9:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the ministry of First Lutheran Church (www.flccsc.org), The Lutheran Hour (www.lhm.org) or a veteran’s organization of your choice.
