J. Douglas Duke

    J. Douglas Duke died March 14, 2010, leaving behind a professional legacy and personal commitment to family and friends that are impressive.
    After earning two national debate championships and teaching for 46 years, Doug Duke, debate coach at University of Central Oklahoma, retired in June 2006.
    A graduate of Stigler High School in 1957 and Northeastern State College in 1960, Duke taught high school for two years in Wichita, Kan. prior to taking a position as debate coach at Southeastern State College in Durant, Okla. in 1962. While there he met his wife Bobbie Chapman, and they were married in 1964.
    Douglas Duke came to UCO in 1968, right out of graduate school at the University of Houston.  During his 38 years at the University of Central Oklahoma, he traveled to more than 35 states and Montreal, Canada for debate competitions, taught a full load, and rarely missed a class, if he was not traveling for debate.  In addition to many other awards and recognitions, his accomplishments included the following:
1990 – Cross Examination Debate Association National Championship
1995 – CEDA Special Recognition Award
1995 – National Cross Examination Debate Association President
1995 – Pelham National NDT Debate Coach of the Year*
1996 – National Cross Examination Debate Association Brownlee Award by his peers*
1996 – Junior Debate National Championship
1996/1997 – Oklahoma Speech Communication and Theatre Association President
1998/1999 –
Oklahoma Speech Communication and Theatre Association President
    *The only person who has ever won both of these awards.
    He helped to mold communications curriculum for high school students by working with the OSTCA to develop a teaching guide for all high schools.  He traveled to New York City to help develop debate/communications activities in public housing areas, and he represented UCO at a national convention for the development of continuity and consistency with UCO's Assessment compliance program. These activities, however, were not his passion.
    In spite of all the public recognitions he was first and always a classroom teacher.  He related to the college-age students by staying in touch with their language, their music, their problems, their stress, and their relationships.
    Former students don't have to remember his name.  They just called him, 'Coach'.  But he had other nicknames through his career.  The Bear [sometimes 'grizzly' and sometimes 'teddy'], Papa Bear, Daddy Duke, Papa Duke, and of course, 'Coach'.
    His family provided his greatest joys.  He 'debated with' his wife Bobbie [who he called Young Wife] of 46 years. He planned and participated in all family activities and vacations with their children: Drew and Cheryl Duke of Edmond, and their three wonderful sons Spencer, Hunter, and Cooper; Kelley and Jeff Weis of Oklahoma City and his most recent joys of his life – 4-year-old twins Abby and Kelby; and Grant and Hope Duke of Gravette, Ark. and their cherished children Ella, Seth, and Michael Duke.
    We'll miss the security of having you in our lives – and your incredible humor, Grandy!
    Funeral services will be held 2 pm Tuesday March 16, 2010 at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Okla.