Ralph A. Dukes

FORT MEADE - Mr. Ralph A. Dukes, 74, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 at LRMC of cancer. Ralph was born April 23, 1940 in Defuniak Springs, FL and moved to Polk County in 1950, later moving to Fort Meade, where he lived since 1984. He was a benevolent Christian and member of Life and Praise Temple under Pastor Billy Ray Melton. He was a devoted and loving husband for 55 years to the love of his life. He was a loving and involved father, the most awesome Papa, and a friend to everyone.
Earlier in his career he was a highly sought after high-rise crane operator who worked on several large projects in the South East and Gulf Coast. He later retired as maintenance manager for Estech /Vigoro Industries.
Along with his work accomplishments, he was a very loving man, and held his wife, children, “grandbabies”, and his Savior, Jesus Christ at his highest priorities. When Ralph had spare time, he loved to spend it with his family fishing on the Gulf of Mexico, hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, hunting in the Florida woods, or with his other hobbies of Ancestry Research, Native American Archeology which included arrow head hunting.
The thing he loved most about his life “WAS LIFE”, and he lived life to the fullest. He never met a stranger, and he made everyone feel welcomed and loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James T. and Lucy Miller Dukes, William and Ida Dukes Watson, and brother, James "Buck" Dukes.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Patricia Pittman Dukes, Fort Meade, FL; sons, James Keith Dukes and wife Brenda, Auburndale, FL, Raymond Michael Dukes, Fort Meade, FL; God son, Dale Reynolds and wife Becky, Polk City, FL; daughters, Kay Albritton and husband Randall, Bowling Green, FL, Beth Mincey and husband Tim, Michelle Taylor and husband Ronnie, and Brenda Dukes Thomas and husband Terry, all of Fort Meade, FL; step-brother, Gene Crews, Defuniak Springs, FL; twenty grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6th, 2014 at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 E. Broadway, Fort Meade. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7th, 2014 at the Cornerstone Church of God, 10 S. Seminole Ave., Fort Meade with Pastor Phillip Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade.
Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171