Duke’s father dies in Arkadelphia

GOLF Ray Duke, father of PGA Tour golfer Ken Duke, died Monday at his home in Arkadelphia. He was 76.

Ken Duke played golf at Arkadelphia High School and Henderson State, where he was a four-time Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Player of the Year. He turned professional in 1994 and has one PGA Tour victory, winning the 2013 Travelers Championship at Cromwell, Conn. In 2006, he was Nationwide Tour Player of the Year and the tour’s leading money-winner.

Ray Duke was born Aug. 2, 1940, in Falcon and graduated from Hope High School in 1959. He officiated high school basketball for more than 46 years and high school football for more than 35 years.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bettie Rateliff Duke, two daughters, Dana Spickes and Christy Russell, both of Rogers, and nine grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Trinity Temple Assembly of God Church in Arkadelphia. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Group Living, P.O. Box 159, Arkadelphia, 71923; Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St., Arkadelphia, 71923; the Ken Duke Golf Center at Henderson State University, 1100 Henderson St., Arkadelphia, 71923; and Trinity Temple Assembly of God Church, 3509 Pine St. Arkadelphia, 71923.