DAVID MARTIN DUKE

DUKE, DAVID MARTIN A Celebration Of Life David Martin Duke was born at Mercy Hospital on June 22, 1944. He passed from this world on July 25, 2012 after an extended battle with cancer. He was fortunate to be at his home at the time of death and passed peacefully in his sleep. He is the son of William Caskey Duke and Catherine Anna Wampler, and brother of Harold Nathan Duke, who predeceased David. David graduated from Lincoln High School and received an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Miramar College. David spent 32 years with the City of San Diego Fire Dept., retiring in 2003, and was a member of the Firefighters Local 145. He established Safety Outlook Systems, and has provided consulting for fire and disaster preparedness and CPR training for long term care facilities throughout San Diego County for the past 27 years. He has been affiliated with the American Heart Association for 19 years as a CPR instructor. David served his community of Carveacre Ranch Estates for many years as the President of the Carveacre Homeowners Association and the Carveacre Fire Safe Council. David served in the United States Air Force for four years during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Travis AFB in northern California. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the USAF, David traveled in Ecuador for a year working on a gold dredge. Returning to the United States, David worked at National Steel and Shipbuilding before joining the SDFD in 1971. David participated in the 3rd Annual World Fire Games in Perth, Australia in 1994, bringing home a Bronze medal in horse-shoes and a Gold medal in track and field. In 1997 he participated in the World Police and Fire Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, bringing home a Bronze medal in horseshoes. David has received many awards for Valor, Courage, Life Saving, Public Safety and Public Service from the VFW, American Legion, City of San Diego, County of San Diego, California State Assembly and State Senate, as well as from the Congress of the United States of America. David is survived by his wife of 44 years, Betsey, of Alpine, CA, a son Christopher, daughter-in-law, Katherine, and grandson, Jason of San Diego, CA, a brother William E. Duke of Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts, a brother Ronn Duke of Lakeside, CA and a sister Barbara Minich of Spring Valley, CA. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012, at the Elks Lodge, 1400 Washington St., El Cajon, CA from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the San Diego Zoological Society or the American Heart Association.