Dr. Herbert Hampton Duke Jr.

He was born on July 16, 1934, to Dr. Herbert. H. Duke Sr., and Lenora Gage Duke.

Dr. Duke or "Buddy" as he was known to his friends and colleagues, lived a life combined of great achievements, great love, and great fun. He was an intelligent, complex, and dedicated man. To his friends and family, Buddy was known to have a great sense of humor.

He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1952. In 1956 he graduated Sam Houston State College and married the love of his life, Anna Ruth Vann. He then attended Baylor University College of Medicine, graduating in 1960. He continued with internship at Hermann Hospital from 1960-1961 and entered a general surgery residency from 1960-1962.

In 1962, Dr. Duke entered the U.S. Air Force and attended Brooks Air Force Base School of Aerospace Medicine. He achieved the rank of Captain and served as Flight Surgeon at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida and the Atlantic Missile Range at Cape Canaveral through 1964, while working with the Mercury and Gemini Space Programs. He often shared many anecdotes about his time in the Air Force that revealed a truly exciting and fun time in his life.

In 1967, he completed the Hermann and M.D. Anderson Hospital Urology Residency Program. He then practiced urology in Baytown from 1967 to 2008 and many years later part time. He was board certified in urology and was a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, American Urological Association, Fellow of American College of Surgeons, and International College of Surgeons. Dr. Duke served as an associate professor of urology at the University of Texas at Houston and served on the Board of Directors of San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, where he served as chief of surgery. He often said, "Being a doctor and surgeon was so much fun!"

At an early age, Dr. Herbert H. Duke Sr., introduced Buddy to the joys of hunting and fishing. The stories of their adventures, and others with family and friends are legendary. In addition to his love of hunting, fishing, and being a Doctor, he enjoyed snow skiing, tennis, traveling, and spending time with his wife Anna. Through the years they traveled to Africa, Russia, Greece, Egypt, Hawaii, Europe, Australia, Alaska, The Galapagos Islands, and many other destinations in the United States and abroad. He is remembered by so many people whose lives he touched through medicine and friendship. With a gleam in his eye, he would often say, " I've had so much fun! I've had the best life!"

He is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Herbert H. Duke Sr., mother Lenora Gage Duke, wife Anna Ruth Vann Duke, sister Elayne Brunson and her husband Dr. Donald Brunson.

He is survived by Stewart Duke and wife Terrie, Stacey Duke and Tim Boyes, Vann Duke and wife Erin. Grandchildren, Wade Duke and wife Hannah, Grant Duke, Megan Dean, Melanie Keckler and husband Brett, Miles Dean and wife Amanda, Courtney John and husband Aidan, Morgan, Holly, and Cody Boyes. Nephew John and James Vann, Nieces Cassandra Brunson, and Marchelle Hassell. Grand niece Marisa Brunson Riordan and husband Kevan, and great grand niece Penelope.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 9, 2021, from 9-10 AM at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, TX 77521, with the funeral service to begin at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8624 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521.

Serving as Pallbearers: Wade Duke, Grant Duke, Miles Dean, John Vann, Rodney Macon, and Robbie Skinner.