David Brady Duke, 59
David Brady Duke passed away with his family at his side on December 11, 2020.
David was born on December 23, 1960 in Dover, Delaware to the late James and Ethel Duke.
After graduating from Dover High School, he went on to work as a carpenter, then on a dairy farm. In 1981 went to work for the Delaware Department of Transportation. He held many different positions and ended his career as a Resident Engineer. He worked for 30 years until his retirement in 2011. Some of his most notable state projects include the SR1 Bypass, Biddle's Toll Plaza, Roth Bridge, and Indian River Bridge.
After his retirement from DelDot, he went to work for AECOM and was the project manager for The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Infrastructure.
David had a passion for carpentry and built both of their homes with his wife right beside him.
He was prominent in the Little League baseball and softball community, in Dover, Marydel and Woodbridge where he was both an umpire and a Manager. When he was 12 he played on Dover Little League's State championship team that went to the Eastern Regional Tournament. He helped manage his daughter's softball team to the Girls Big League World Series. He also umpired the Boys Big League World Series in 2000.
He was a very avid outdoorsman. He loved gardening especially growing pole beans, camping with his friends and exploring the United States. Two highlights were an Alaskan cruise and a western United States camping trip. He enjoyed Nascar, golfing, fishing, hunting, harness racing. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren's sporting events and dance recitals. He had a love of his father's home state of Alabama. ROLL TIDE!!!
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ethel Duke.
David is survived by his best friend and love of his life, his wife of 40 years, Vickie Miller Duke; his children, Amber Duke and Kenny Shahan of Felton, Del., Andrew Duke and his wife, Ashley of Lewes, Del. and Corey Duke of Ellendale, Del.; sister, Deborah Duke of Hartly; brothers, Daniel Duke and his wife Michelle of Galena, Md., Douglas Duke and wife Robbi of Hartly, Del.; and grandchildren, Austin Duke Walls, Aubree, Anastasia and Ace Duke and Cody Shahan; and by many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt. 10), Dover at 1 p.m. Friends may call two hours prior to the service. Interment will be held at Sharon Hills Memorial Park in Dover. Services will be live casted on Torbert Funeral Chapel's facebook, https://www.facebook.com/torbertfuneralchapels
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Make a Wish Foundation.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com