December 7, 1985 – November 27, 2021

Born in Houston, Texas, on December 7, 1985, John Aaron Duke, the son of John T. Duke and Marjorie J. (Josey) Duke, and the brother of Joseph T. (Joey) Duke died Saturday, November 27, 2021, at his home in Friendswood, Texas. At the age of seven, John was diagnosed with type one diabetes and it had a profound effect on him. For years he lived in the moment with the predictable results for himself, his family, and his friends. It was quite a ride. He could be the most impetuous, exasperating person you ever met. He could be the most thoughtful and most loving. He could be completely self-centered, and, in the words of an old song, wild as the West Texas wind. He could be a perfect gentleman, displaying an astonishing sensitivity to the needs of others. He had little interest in formal education. He had a keen intellect, was an articulate, engaging conversationalist, and a wonderful dinner companion. He had a rapier-quick wit and wasn’t afraid to use it.

John’s lifelong passion was saltwater fishing and though he accumulated enough custom rods and reels to stock a high-end sporting goods store, we always knew what to give him for birthdays and Christmas. He started fishing at the age of three and for many years he and his dad were familiar figures along the Texas Gulf Coast, fishing the bays and surf from High Island to the Laguna Madre. Using ultra-light tackle, John caught his first ten-pound plus speckled trout when he was ten-years old. It was one of his proudest moments. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Gulf Coast ecosystem and fished with some of the premier saltwater guides in Texas and Florida. He especially enjoyed his many trips with James Fox of Rockport.

Only his love for family surpassed his love of fishing. John took tremendous pride and pleasure in his family, whose roots run deep in Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. As a child he spent many happy weekends and holidays at his maternal grandparents’ horse farm in Tomball, Texas, and at his paternal grandparents’ homes near Hollywood, AR. In recent years every visit with his aunts, uncles, and cousins was eagerly anticipated, he and his black lab Charlie sometimes planning and packing for weeks in advance. These get-togethers spurred conversation for months. He also treasured time with his dad, delighted in the company of his friends, and adored his younger brother. But nothing approached the relationship he had with his mom.

She was not only his primary care giver, but his best friend. For years Josey provided a wonderful home, rock-solid stability, and unconditional love. She made certain John could indulge his penchants for fine restaurants, movies, offshore fishing trips, and travel. Often putting her busy career and her life in general on hold, she orchestrated John’s dizzying schedule of hospital stays, doctors’ appointments, dialysis, and other medical procedures. She prolonged John’s life many years while making certain that his quality of life was as high as his medical condition allowed.

For thirty years John confronted his health issues head-on with a singular determination and undaunted courage. Toward the end, the tumultuous years over, he carried himself with a calm, quiet dignity. He understood and accepted that life is not always fair, still meeting each new day with infectious optimism and an ever-present sense of humor. That sense of humor was there to the last, evident in those mischievous, twinkling gray eyes. He seldom complained, he never gave in to self-pity. He never, ever gave up.

Somewhere on the other side it’s an early June morning on the Texas coast, the reddish-orange sun slowly lighting a gray, cloud-dappled horizon. John’s there in the surf, waist deep in the gin-clear incoming tide, southeast wind in his face, throwing a gold spoon toward schooling specks.

Tight lines, John. We will never forget you.

John was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Buford and Marge Neely, and paternal grandparents, Bill and Betty Duke.

John is survived by his mother, his father, and younger brother.  Surviving aunts and uncles include Sue Wilson, Toni and Clark Garland, Sharon Minton, Joe Duke, and Jack Duke. Cousins include Jennifer Quintas, John Wilson, Jason Wilson, Aimee Garland, Courtney Garland, Mike Minton, Mark Minton and Ginger Walker every one of which he cherished. Other surviving relatives and friends include Terri and David Gerke, Johanna Hume, Nathan Stevens, Taylor Ward, Val Ward, Gail Creel and his black Lab, Charlie.

It is impossible to name the dozens of medical professionals who, over the years, gave John access to the best medical care in the world. Nonetheless, the family would like to express their special gratitude to Dr. Chau Vu and Dr. Kuldip Kaul.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM at 1615 Falcon Ridge, Friendswood, Texas 77546. It will be casual, but we request that people attending wear face masks as several friends have young children and grandchildren who cannot yet be vaccinated.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Coastal Conservation Association.

Condolences may be sent to the Duke family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.