John Dukes

John Dukes

Wrens, GA  – John Dukes, 76, loving husband of 57 years to Regina Ann Puntel Dukes, entered his eternal home in Heaven Sunday morning, May 24, 2015 from his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Ways Baptist Church with the Reverends Jason Owens and Wayne Turpin officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

John was one of ten children born to the late Alma Wrens Dukes and the late Dorsey Dukes. He was a lifelong resident of Wrens except for the time he proudly served our country as a reservist in the Navy and as a member of the United States Air Force, at which time he met the love of his life while stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in Miami. John actively served his Lord and Savior at Ways Baptist Church where he served a deacon. He worked for many years in the garment industry before becoming a security guard at University Hospital where he retired with over 18 years of service. In his spare time, he could be found working in his vegetable garden, flower garden or fishing. He had a passion for music—he loved to sing and strum a guitar. A man of faith and integrity, John was a quiet, reserved, unassuming man with a big heart and joyful nature—his compassion and generosity was unsurpassed.  A devoted husband and father, his greatest pleasure was being with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

John is also preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Owens; and his siblings, Judson Dukes, Jimmy Dukes, Dora Beall, Glen Dukes, Natalie Pittman and Ruth Eastus. Other survivors include his sons, Tony Dukes (Sherry), Jimmy Dukes (Amy) and Paul Dukes (Melisa); three siblings, Annette Usry, Randy Dukes (Hilda) and Jean Johnson; eleven grandchildren, Kevin Owens (Crystal), Jason Owens (Ashley), Alison Doughman (Michael), Anthony Dukes (Ashley), Jacob Dukes, Ella Dukes, Kathryn Phillips (Chevy), Erica Dukes, Nicholas Dukes, Chuck Jones and Dekle Todd III; 13 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers will be Anthony Dukes, Vince McNair, Joey Owens, Kevin Owens, Keith Pittman and Gene Powell.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00PM Tuesday evening, May 26, 2015 at James Funeral Home.

The family wishes to express their gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Trinity Hospice for their compassionate, loving and professional care.
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I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss—
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much—
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now—He set me free!

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