Ford Duke
August 21, 1934 — July 15, 2024
Wichita
Ford Duke
- Ford Montgomery Duke was born on August 21, 1934, in Wichita, KS to Frances (Montgomery) and Harry Duke. Ford passed away in the comfort of his new home with his beloved Daisy (aka kid) on July 15, 2024.
- As a little boy, Ford enjoyed spending time with his sister, Sally. Growing up in Herrington, KS, the two Ford found a love for designing and building things at an early age and continued to build on this passion well into adulthood. Ford was a proud graduate of Wichita North High School, class of 1952. He went on to pursue his education at the University of Wichita, now Wichita State University. While attending the University of Wichita Ford studied engineering and joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity where he met many of his lifelong friends and graduated from in 1958.
- Ford married his sweetheart, Donna Duke (Reed), on July 19, 1958. Ford and Donna shared 64 years of marriage. Their love endured and flourished through the navigation of higher education, Ford's service to our country, adventures across the US, and business ownership. You would often find Ford whittling away at Donna's ceramics, wiring lamps or creating bases for custom pieces. Ford was the helper extraordinaire even designing and building their beautiful home, enclosed patio and backyard oasis. Ford loved hosting family and was never short of pranks or jokes. He was always smiling, dancing and tending to his loved ones.
- Though Ford did not have children of his own, he loved his nieces and nephews as such. Ford and Donna celebrated each of his sister-in-law's five children's 16th birthdays with personally crafted travel plans, in addition to the many other fun excursions they would go on, often in matching outfits. In later years, Ford and Donna would host great nieces and nephews in their home for as many days as they wanted to stay. They would treat them to trips to the children's museum, fancy dinners, musical performances and of course, lots of swimming.
- Ford and Donna were loving parents to fur babies. Over the years, you would have seen them doting on Peppy, Sophie, Dolly and Daisy.
- To the very last of his days with us, Ford proclaimed his passion for all things WSU, even reminiscing about his friends who played on the men's basketball team while he was in school. He couldn't wait to get to a game this coming season. Ford and Donna were Shocker men's basketball season ticket holders for over 50 years and travelled to many tournaments as devout fans donning the flashiest of Shocker yellow and black. It was especially a joy to watch the WSU run to the Final Four with the two of them. They were loud and proud when it came to cheering on their beloved alma mater.
- Ford is survived by his sweet pup Daisy, five nieces, four nephews, 33 great nieces and nephews and 24 great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, father Harry, mother Frances, and sister Sally.
- Service details are still pending, please check back later.
- In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to:
- Kansas Humane Society
- 3313 N Hillside St
- Wichita, KS 67219
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