Duke was born to Fred and Helen Casias in Pueblo, Colorado on September 18, 1958. He grew up in Pueblo County the youngest of six children.
He liked to tell anyone who would listen that as a youngster he didn’t like school, ran into a little trouble now and then and was destined to work manual jobs. However, in the early 1980’s he needed a change and moved in with his sister Marlene in Colorado Springs. This decision impacted his life greatly. He learned of Christ and became a born-again Christian who studied the bible daily. It was at his sister’s church where he met and married Carla Adams. They had three beautiful children, Daniel, Christina and Cara.
It was also where Duke began his passion for learning. He earned BS degrees in mechanical engineering and computer engineering, graduating cum laude in both. His ability to solve complex problems in his work was remarkable. His skills allowed him to work on the Cray supercomputer, the superconductor super collider and travel the world. Over the past 25 years, he worked at Kidde/Carrier Corporation, in both mechanical and electrical design.
Duke loved working on home construction projects, mentoring his nieces and nephews and was an avid reader and learner.
He is preceded in death by his son Daniel Casias; his daughter Christina Casias; both parents; his sister Marlene Lovato; and his brother Timothy Casias.
Duke is survived by his daughter Cara Casias of Denver; stepdaughter Joy Casias of Denver; daughter in-law Regina Casias of Pueblo; grandchildren, Riley, Daxton and Nikko Casias; sister Gloria Nunez of Pueblo; Paula Contreras of Colorado Springs; Tony Casias of Pueblo. Numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of his life is at Memorial Gardens, 3825 Airport Rd, Colorado Springs on February 5, 2022 at 10 a.m.
