Jule Davis Duke, 88, of Athens, died Friday morning, February 20, 2015, at Wellington Place of Athens.

He was a native of Macon County, Georgia and longtime resident of McMinn County, and was the son ot the late William C. and Pearl Davis Duke and was also preceded in death by his wife Johnsie Elliott Duke and a son Jule D. Duke, Jr.

He was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church and was an organizer of the Boy Scout Troop #ll8. He was a volunteer with the Junior Achievement Program of McMinn County. He was an Antique Car enthusiast, and was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, where he was a National Judge.
He was well known in the Eastern United States for his ability to rebuild shock absorbers for the Model A Ford. He was associated with Bowater Southern Paper Company as Supervisor of the Instrument Department for thirty eight years, until his retirement. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II as a B24 tail gunner.

He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Bruce Romanoff of Atlanta, GA and Dianne and David Hensley of Chattanooga; one son, Elliott Duke of Nashville; three granddaughters, Laurel Powell, Caroline Hensley and Katie Clauson; one grandson, Stephen Romanoff; and three great-grandchildren, Preston and Miller Powell and Gabriel Clauson.

The family will receive friends Monday, February 23, 2015 from 4:30-6:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

A funeral service will be conducted, 2:00 pm, Friday, February 27, 2015 at Hughes and Wright Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia with Reverend James Burt officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery, Fort Valley, Georgia.

The family suggests memorials be made to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001.

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