Barbara Jean Duke

August 17, 1927

December 31, 2022

Barbara was born in Los Angeles, California. The family soon moved to Altadena, a community close to Pasadena. Her graduation ceremonies from Jr. High, High School and Junior College all took place in the Rose Bowl. Her greatest adventure was climbing Half Dome in Yosemite National Park- a real feat!

Barbara met her future husband, Earl, while she attended Pasadena Junior College and he was a student at Caltech just a few blocks away. The fellas invited the sorority girls to their tea dances. Earl was interested in chemical engineering, but his family wanted him to come into the family's printing business- a good sized firm. He was finally persuaded; so after Caltech he went to UCLA to obtain a degree in business. After Junior College, Barbara went to UCLA and it was not long before she and Earl were engaged.

Their new home was to be in Wichita, Kansas- no ocean, no mountains, just wheat fields, and Earl's father was the Mayor! It had to be "true love". It was a good place to raise children though. They had 3 children, Connie, Rodney and Todd. All have college degrees and one has a PHO. The family has grown to 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, so far.

Barbara kept busy teaching fifth grade Sunday school and served in several Wichita programs, one being as docent at the Black Bear Indian Center. One of her most fun times was as a High School Campfire Girls leader. They could drive! They won many honors and three were selected to go on a special cruise to South America.

When Earl retired they moved to Littleton, Colorado to be near their daughter and her family. Barbara had her mountains back! They enjoyed traveling to see their family and adventuring overseas. After Earl passed away, her family did not want her living where there was so much ice and snow. The vote was for her to live near her son, Todd. When the airplane landed, she was in San Antonio ready to start a new phase of her life. She has called Franklin Park home since 2012 and is an avid bridge player.