Lawrence Hahn Duke, Sr

Lawrence Hahn Duke, Sr., 90, passed peacefully at White Oak Manor of Waxhaw on June 15, 2011. He was born October 11, 1920, the second son of the late Kinchen Asbury and Lillie Hahn Duke.

Mr. Duke came from a long line of devout Methodists. Robert Laban Abernethy was founder and president of Rutherford College. Rev. Daniel Asbury was a circuit riding minister who founded Rehobeth UMC and held the first camp meetings at Rock Springs camp grounds.

During WWII, Mr. Duke was a communications specialist with the 354th Fighter Group serving both the 8th and 9th Air Forces. His group flew P-51 Mustangs and their service ended in Nuremberg, Germany. He continued to serve his country when was called to active duty from the reserves during the Korean War. He attended his squadrons reunions until he was physically unable to do so.

Mr. Duke was one of the organizers of the Statesville Road VFD in 1957. He served on the board of directors and as president, secretary and treasurer. As a volunteer fireman for 26 years, he served as chief, assistant chief and captain.

Mr. Duke retired from the US Postal Service in 1985. He formerly worked for the Charlotte Supply Co. He was a life member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (Charlotte Chapter 105); a charter/life member of the Ninth Air Force Association; member of the 354th Fighter Group Association; member of the Mecklenburg County Firemens Association.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church since 1945, the Yountz-Hough Class and the Methodist Men. He served on the Administrative Council, Nominating Committee, Parish-Staff Committee, Trustees Committee and as an usher. He was past president of his SS class and the Methodist Men. He was active in both the Derita and Long Creek Masonic Lodges for many years as a Third Degree Mason. He was a member of the Charlotte Scottish Rite Body as a 32nd Degree Mason. He was also a Noble of the Oasis Shrine Temple in Charlotte.

Mr. Duke is survived by three sons, Lawrence Duke, Jr. and wife Barbara of Indian Trail, NC, Henderson Duke and wife Karen of Charlotte, NC, and Harold Duke and wife Elaine of Rock Hill, SC; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Duke, Aaron Duke, David Duke, Jared Duke, Ashlyn Duke, Chad Duke and Crystal Burnett; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Eleanor Henderson Duke, his brother, Kinchen Asbury Duke and a grand-daughter, Morgan Paige Duke.

Visitation with the family will be at 3:00 Sunday, June 19, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 6230 Beatties Ford Road. A funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 at the church by Rev. Wade Ogle. Burial will be in the church graveyard. The family wishes to thank the staffs at the Regency Retirement Village in Pineville and White Oak Manor of Waxhaw for the care they provided Mr. Duke.

Memorials may be directed to: Trinity UMC Cemetery Fund, 6230 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216; Harris Hospice, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204; Hospice/Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.