Donald Ray Dukes

Donald Ray Dukes “PaPa”, age 89, of Fifty-Six, Arkansas (formally from Odessa, Texas) went from being an angel on earth to being an angel in Heaven on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Don was born in Gorman, Texas on May 7, 1935, to William Beryl “Whitey” and Billie Pate Dukes.  He loved his family and was the most wonderful dad.  He proudly served in the United States Army in “D” Battery at Eielson A.F.B. in Alaska.  He graduated from Texas Tech University and his profession was chemical engineering for the oil field.  This took him around the world.  He loved working in his woodshop and driving his little Kubota tractor.

Those left behind to cherish his love and memories are his two daughters: Donna Dukes Carroll of Fifty Six, Arkansas (Big Spring, Texas) and Debra Dukes Woods of Fifty Six, Arkansas (Odessa, Texas) and husband, Johnny Woods; 4 grandchildren: Maranda Keen, Lindsey Ortega and husband, William of California, Elisha Vaughan and husband, Jarred of Burleson, Texas and Shae of Big Spring, Texas, 3 greatgrandchildren:  Ava Ortega, Gage Vaugh, and Maya Jacquez; plus extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Gwen, his parents, 2 brothers, Beryl Dukes and Bill Dukes, and a great-granddaughter, Leighia Rain Jacquez.

In lieu of flowers the family the humbly request donations to: 

The Hospice Promise Foundation

901 Hugh Wallis Rd. S  

Lafayette, Louisiana     70508

The family would also like to thank Elite House Care and Elite Home Hospice for their kindness and the special tender care they gave Don.

Services will be held privately by the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Diamond State Cremation in Lead Hill, Arkansas.  

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