Vergil "Duke" Fox Howell Jr.

Duke was born November 5, 1949, to Vergil Howell and Dawnena Eastman Howell, in Oklahoma City, OK. He is survived by his sisters, Verla Howell of Denver, CO, Carrie Howell and Debbie Howell of Colorado Springs, CO, and Mary (Willie) Wolf of Gig Harbor, WA, nieces Dawnena Michelle Key and Marcey Hodshire, nephews Chaske Wolf, Steven Howell, Derek Howell, and Robert Many Lightnings Williams in addition to many other relatives. Also surviving is his beloved dog, Booker. Duke was preceded in death by his parents.

Duke was a citizen of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and a descendant of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota of the Lake Traverse Reservation of South Dakota.

Duke joined the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War in 1970. He was the top recruit, the most physically fit, his platoon’s designated sharpshooter, and attained the rank of Lance Corporal. He was awarded the Marine Corps dress blues.

Duke excelled from the beginning. During high school, he was on the academic honor roll and a star athlete, as a football player and long-distance runner. He graduated in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University. He utilized his degree as a Project Financial Analyst in positions that required high-level security.

He was a man of God and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, he expressed gratitude to his mother for the gift of leading him to Christ. He developed lifelong friendships. He was committed to helping others find sobriety.

Duke was always active, running with his dogs, working out, and golfing. He loved his Airedales, his mother, his friends, his church, and his sisters. He was the best big brother.

Services will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 737 East Melissa Road in Colorado Springs. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.