James Lee Duke

Preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth Shanks Duke of Paducah, KY, father, Elmer C. Duke, Sr. of Boma, TN, and brother Elmer C. Duke, Jr. of Nashville TN.

Survived by his loving wife and best friend of 70 years, Flodine Lewis Duke; three sons, Michael L. (Kathy) Duke, J. Phillip Duke, and David E (Susan) Duke; grandchildren Mary Elizabeth, Rebecca, Edward, Emma, Addie, and Christopher; great grandchildren Elliot, Garrett, Adalynn, and Martha; sister Mary Margaret Gandy, and brother Dr. John R. Duke.

He attended Cathedral of the Incarnation Grade School and Father Ryan High School.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 and that same year married the love of his life, Flodine Lewis.

Jim attended Vanderbilt and graduated in 1953 with a degree in electrical engineering. Concurrent to his studies at Vanderbilt, Jim worked as a journeyman electrician to support his young family.

During the fifties, he worked for the TVA, Union Carbide (Oak Ridge) and Arnold Engineering Development Center (Tullahoma). While at Arnold Engineering, Jim attended night school at the University of Tennessee and earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering.

In the sixties, Jim’s career expanded in aerospace engineering. Graduate Studies at USC led to a second Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering. His work involved guidance systems for missile defense, and the lunar module for the Apollo Space Program. During this time, the Dukes lived in California twice (Vandenburg), Huntsville, Alabama (Redstone Arsenal), and Houston. Texas (Manned Spacecraft Center).

In 1970, Jim returned to Vanderbilt Graduate School where he studied and performed research in Biomedical Engineering. Late in this period he taught Neurophysiology at Meharry Medical School.

A short term assignment for Hospital Corporation of America for the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, turned into a new career in hospital construction and facility operations engineering in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Doha, Qatar.

Jim was an active Father Ryan and Vanderbilt alumni and member of the choir at the Church of the Assumption. He was also an active member of the Nashville Chapter of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).

Jim was a passionate genealogist. His research often led him and Flo to courthouses and graveyards not only in the United States, but in Europe as well.

He was a faithful loving husband and father, and he will be missed.

Visitation will be Friday September 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home. 201 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Jerry Strange on Saturday, September 19 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption. 1227 7th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208. A reception will be held following Mass at the Parish Hall.

Burial will be on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at 7931 McCrory Ln, Nashville, TN 37221.