Lee Stoll Dukes Jr.

Lee Stoll Dukes, Jr., age 91, of Charlotte, NC, died Sunday, June 19, 2011 at Presbyterian Hospital. Lee was born on May 11, 1920 in Branchville, SC to the late Carrie Lucile Ott and Lee Stoll Dukes. The family lived at various locations due to employment with the railroad. Lee graduated from Derita High School in 1937 and went to work in a café in Belmont that the family purchased. During that time a friend who was planning to register for Belmont Abbey College asked Lee to ride there with him, and Lee was asked by one of the priests if he would like to attend. When Lee answered that he didn’t have the money to attend, the priest said to just come on anyway. He studied there for 2 years and then went on to Davidson College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology. Immediately after graduation he served in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia.

Lee married Doris Jean Neal on July 2, 1944. After his time in the service, they returned to Charlotte, where Lee worked in the family grocery store business until he began employment as a chemist with the Charlotte Water Department in 1948. He completed his master’s degree in public health at UNC-Chapel Hill while continuing his career with the water department. He left briefly during 1965-1968 to work in the Chief of Engineering Section/Sanitary Engineering Division of the N.C. Board of Health in Raleigh, NC, but returned to Charlotte and in 1974 became director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities. He retired in 1980. On May 31, 2005 the North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant was renamed the Lee S. Dukes, Jr. Water Treatment Plant in recognition of his legacy of dedicated public service with the city and in the water/wastewater profession.

Upon his retirement Lee began actively pursuing his passion for woodcarving. He taught woodcarving classes at Shepherd’s Center for 25 years, joined the Tar Heel Woodcarvers Club, and in 1982 formed the Charlotte Woodcarvers Club. He was recently honored at the club’s 28th Showcase of Woodcarvings, dedicated to him. When he moved to Aldersgate Retirement Community in 2006, much of his woodcarving collection was moved to be displayed at the Lee S. Dukes, Jr. Water Treatment Plant.

Another passion for Lee was his love of music. He first noticed his future bride in the choir at Wesley Heights Methodist Church and later met her at a square dance, where he was playing guitar in the band. He used his woodworking skills to make two mandolins, which he enjoyed playing through the years, and he fostered the love of music in his children.

In 1968 Lee joined Myers Park United Methodist Church, where he remained an active member until his death. He taught Sunday School for a total of 70 years at the various congregations where he was a member, most recently for the Fellowship and Ruth Fisher classes at Myers Park.

Amidst all of his accomplishments and recognitions, a primary core value of his life was always his love and dedication to his family. Lee was predeceased by his wife, Doris, in 2003. Survivors are: son, Dr. Lee S. Dukes, III and wife, Minnie, of Lexington, NC; daughters, Sylvia Dukes Elwyn and husband, Rich, of Asheville NC and Elaine Dukes Turner and husband, Fred, of Raleigh, NC; four granddaughters: Kathryn Elaine Dukes Miller of Raleigh, N.C., Allison Margaret Turner of Portland, Oregon, Lauren Elaine Turner of Durham, NC and Meredith Elise Turner of Durham, NC; one great-grandson, Charles Edmund Miller, of Raleigh, NC. Also surviving are Lee’s sister, Dorothy Rudisill, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will be receiving visitors from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Harry & Bryant Company, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 at Myers Park United Methodist Church with the Reverend William E. Roth and Dr. Duke Ison officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in Jubilee Hall. Interment at Forest Lawn West Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207; Abbey Family Fund, Attention College Relations, Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont Mount Holly Road, Belmont, NC 28012; or Charlotte Woodcarvers Club, P. O. Box 11894, Charlotte NC 28220-1894.

Harry & Bryant Company is serving the family.