Mark was born March 9, 1956 in Saint Louis Missouri to Alcy and Helen Duke. He is survived by his wife, his children, Andrea Duke and Dave Duke, his brother Robert (Gina) Duke, and many dear uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Dave Duke.
Mark was raised in South Saint Louis and attended Roosevelt High School, home of the Rough Riders. After graduating in 1974, he studied Fire Science at Forest Park Community College and attended classes at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to becoming a firefighter, he worked at UPS until September of 1979 when he joined the Saint Louis City Fire Department. He served for 11 years until he was injured while fighting a fire.
He started Duke's Lawn Care and around this time, welcomed into the world his daughter Andrea and his son, Dave, who was named for his late brother.
Mark loved taking care of his kids. He coached baseball and other teams when they were young and chaperoned on their field trips. Often times, he scheduled his lawn care responsibilities around his kids' schedules so he could be there to pick them up from school. He was a very hands-on dad. He looked forward to the day he could hold a grandbaby, but it was not to be.
Mark loved fishing and hunting and attended the Firemen's Tournament every year. Mark enjoyed motorcycles and had nine of them! He loved his dogs, and his farm, where found great satisfaction in simply mowing the lawn. He participated in the CRP, the Conservation Reserve Program in Illinois, and planted sunflowers every year. He had tons of friends and remained active in the St. Louis Association of Retired Firefighters. He liked all types of music. He was a great cook, a skill he learned at the firehouse.
Mark had a huge heart and would do anything for anyone in need, be it friend or stranger. One time, Mark was at a thrift store where he spotted a dresser and purchased it. A short time later, he noticed a couple was admiring the dresser, but it had his "sold" tag on it. As he was leaving with the dresser in the back of his truck, he saw the couple across the street at a gas station. He drove over to them and simply gave it to them. That's the kind of person he was.
His cancer diagnosis didn't define him. He never complained and always had a positive attitude. He was grateful for everything he had. Mark always said, " Every day my feet hit the floor is a good day."
Mark was recently baptized while in the hospital by a Baptist minister, with holy water that was blessed by a Catholic priest from Zimbabwe. He had all his bases covered.
Mark is at peace now. No more pain and suffering. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, compassion, and kindness for others. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Fly high and ride long, Mark! You are loved, forever.
A Celebration of Mark's Life will be held Friday, May 7, 2021 at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street, 63109. Visitation time from 9am to noon, with the Service at noon.
For those of you who cannot attend in person, the service will be livestreamed on the funeral home's Facebook page starting at 11:58am CDT. Please click the "join livestream" link below at that time, or visit Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary's Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mark's memory to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated by his family.
Please leave a favorite memory of Mark for his family to cherish at the "Add a Memory" link below.
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