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James Elliott Duke

FUNERAL HOME

Platt's Funeral & Cremation Services - Augusta

721 Crawford Avenue

Augusta, Georgia

James Duke Obituary

Retired Restaurant Owner HEPHZIBAH, Ga. - Mr. James Elliott Duke, 82, entered into rest on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at University Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 13, 2009 at 11:00 am, in the Platt's Crawford Avenue Chapel with Reverend Wes Gardner officiating. Interment will follow, at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Mr. Duke was the husband of Juanita Hess Duke, for 58 years. He was a native of Jefferson, GA and served in the U.S. Navy, during WW II. After working, at the Varsity, in Athens, he moved to Augusta and opened Duke Restaurant on Walton Way, in 1956, which became an Augusta landmark serving "just good food" for 44 years. Part of the Duke Restaurant legend was its reputation, as a place where political and business deals were made. Former President Jimmy Carter campaigned there, as did Senator Tom Allgood and Congressman Charlie Norwood. Mr. Duke was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Daisy Davis Duke, brother, Buck Duke and sister, Mary Hunter. Survivors, other than his wife, include two sons, David Duke and wife, Judy , Buddy Duke and wife, Marian, all of Hephzibah, GA, daughter, Joyce Morris and husband, Lonnie, of Appling, GA, brother, Ted Duke, of Jefferson, GA, eleven grandchildren, Brandon Duke, Michele Duke, Christie Duke Binnicker, Michael Duke, Bronson Duke, Laura Duke White, Leah Duke, Taryn Morris, Haley Morris, Hannah Morris and Rachel Morris and two great grandchildren, Ryleigh Binnicker and Aubrey White. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 12, 2009, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Platt's Crawford Avenue. Pallbearers will be Buddy Duke, David Duke, Michael Duke, Bronson Duke, Lonnie Morris and Paul White. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made, to the American Cancer Society, 2607 Commons Blvd., Augusta, GA 30909. Please sign the guestbook and send condolences, to the family at: www.plattsfuneralhome.com Platt's Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904, 706-733-3636.

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Published by The Augusta Chronicle from Jul. 11 to Jul. 12, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for James Duke

16 Entries

July 25, 2009

I have known Duke since I was a very young girl,my Dad was Eddie Giddens Who worked with and for Duke many years ago.I never knew him by any other name than just Duke.I had a chance to know him later in my twenties when I visited Dukes once or twice a week to eat.I will never forget those wonderful hamburgers on a toasted bun[best in Augusta by far],out. of this world onion rings(breaded just right)and last turkey & dressing and those great lyonaise potatoes.There will never be another Duke's,great food and wonderful service.I so enjoyed being greeted by Duke at almost every visit with a smile and a hello,he also told you thanks and come back as you left .Duke's was a community restaurant and will always be missed.I am so thankful I had a chance to know Duke He was a very sucessful man in so many ways.My sympathy goes out to his family.Goodbye my friend and may you rest in peace.........Gloria Giddens Hillman

Diana Nevils

July 15, 2009

Dear Juanita and family,
Sorry, for your loss! I didn't get to know Mr. Duke until I got married and Carl started bring me by for that great fried chichen!
But when he got sick in 97/98 is when I got to meet the wife/family with are stay at University Hosptital. Mr. Duke and Carl spent several months in ICU and it was a miracle after what they went thought that we finaly had a second chance with them!
My prayers are with you all for he will be missed!

July 13, 2009

One of the finest men I've met in my
64 years. A man of integrity and
unselfishness has passed. Yes,we lost
the master chef but from what I've seen
he and his wife spawned a good and loving family.
May God be with them.

Eddie Faircloth & wife (Darlynn)

Howards Appliance

July 13, 2009

Mr. Duke was a long time customer of ours. We are all sorry for your loss.

Michael Graybill

July 13, 2009

Gayle and I will miss a dear friend.

Bill(y) Patterson

July 12, 2009

I remember Mr Duke as we worked together at Masters' Bowling Lanes in the early 1960s. He ran the restaurant there and cooked the best food anywhere around. He was always professional and treated me well despite my junior status there. He kept his employees happy and for a long time. I of course will miss his great food as will many Augustans.

Herb Beckham

July 12, 2009

"Duke" was a friend and a supporter of mine for many years, and I will miss him. His resturant was the first place that my wife and I ate at when we came through here on our honeymoon. For all the years that I ran the Red Lion service station, I ate lunch with him almost every day. He was the finest of men.

DAVID & JACKIE HATTAWAY

July 12, 2009

DUKES RESTAURANT WAS HOME AWAY FROM HOME. THE FOOD TASTES LIKE HOME AND THE ATMOSPHERE WAS LIKE HOME. YOU SAW THE SAME WATRESSES. THEY WERE ALSO THERE A LONG TIME. THAT SPEAKS VOLUME FOR THE TYPE OF MAN MR. DUKES WAS. I SURE MISS THAT RESTAURANT AND THE PEOPLE THERE. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY.

Charles Timmerman

July 12, 2009

Mr. Duke was a familiar morning face. I ate at Dukes often. It was a special place and he was a special person.

Chip & Jackie White

July 12, 2009

Our thoughts & prayers are with ALL the family! May God give you peace & comfort daily! We have many memories of Dukes Restaurant!

MEL WALDEN

July 12, 2009

MR. DUKE WAS MY FRIEND

Ann P. Patch

July 11, 2009

My husband & I enjoyed many meals at "Dukes". He was a very friendly man and he seemed to know all of his customers.

Dr. James Hudson, Jr.

July 11, 2009

Although I didn't know Mr. Dukes personally, as a medical student and resident, I was a regular at his restaurant, and always appreciated his warm demeanor and kindness. My sympathy to the family

Peggy & Daniel Williams

July 11, 2009

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

Bob Beckham

July 11, 2009

No better friend have I ever had than DUKE. Before I married, Dukes Restaurant was like home to me. Batchelor Flythe and I loved his food and ate there almost every day. We knew every waitress and they made us feel like we were family. This was the place every politician frequented and wanted to be seen. I greive with his family in the loss of and Augusta legend. God Bless the Duke family.

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