Oscar Martinez Duke

Reverend Mr. Oscar M. Duke was born February 3, 1927, in Marfa, Texas to Charles and Betty Duke. Deacon Oscar was the oldest of four children and was brought up on a "Working" cattle ranch. They all learned to live and thrive on this West Texas ranch through the "Depression."

Upon turning 18 years old, Oscar was drafted into the Army and was trained to be part of the great invasion force of Japan. By the grace of God the 2nd World War ended before the invasion was launched.

Oscar arrived in Japan as a newly promoted technical sergeant and was set to begin experiencing one of the greatest adventures of his life. Deacon Oscar was reassigned to the 232nd Signal Corp, 8th Army and served at General Douglas Macarthur's General Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. During his deployment he was taught to fluently speak Japanese, German, and Russian. Oscar also learned to draw and paint murals by an amazing Japanese artist. Who could forget the desert scenes and lush forest scene of Mount Fuji that he painted on houses and other venues?

In 1950 Oscar Duke married the love of his life, Gloria Moreno Duke. During the course of their 42 year marriage they had three children; Kevin, Karen, and Brian.

In the 1970's Oscar entered the Deaconate program of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Oscar was ordained in 1977 and was one of the two deacons in Ventura County . Deacon Oscar went on to faithfully serve at Santa Clara Church and then at Saint Anthony's Church in Oxnard as Senior Deacon for 30+ years. During his service to the Lord Jesus Christ, Oscar baptized, married, gave first Holy Communion and brought Holy Communion to the dying. By the grace of God, Deacon Oscar and his wife, Gloria, were blessed to have an audience with Pope John Paul II. Shortly after Gloria's death, one very special family sent Deacon Oscar the funds to visit the Holy Land, a trip that changed his life.

Reverend Mr. Oscar M. Duke passed away into everlasting life with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 20, 2012; with his children at his side.

Deacon Oscar is preceded in death to everlasting life with Lord Jesus Christ by his mother, Betty , father, Charles, stepfather, Santos, sister's, Viola and Dolly, and brother, Charles. Just as importantly, he is preceded by his wife, Gloria, daughter, Karen, and grandson, Kristopher.

Deacon Oscar is survived by his two sons and son-in-law, Kevin (daughter-in-law Cecilia, grandchildren, Brandon and Kristine, granddaughter-in-law Alejandra, grandson-in-law Tom, great-grandchildren, Victoria, Alexis, Isabelle, Natalie, and Licoln) and Brian (daughter-in-law Patricia, grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Randall), and Paul Jordan (widower of Karen Duke Jordan). Oscar is also survived by his sister-in-law Margarita. Deacon Oscar also leaves behind many wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and loads of wonderful friends in and out of the deaconate.

Prayer vigil and rosary will be held July 24, 6:30pm at Saint Anthony's Church, Oxnard. Funeral Mass Will be at 10am, at St. Anthony's Church, July 25, followed by interment at Santa Clara Cemetery. There will be a reception at the Monsignor Condon Center (on the church grounds) following burial service; all are invited.

We thank everyone for any kindness they have shown Deacon Oscar during his lifetime, especially Bishop Madera, Father Pham, Father Sullivan, Deacon Jim Henry, Monsignor O'Gorman, Monsignor Majarucon all the clergy and administrative personnel of St. Anthony's Church and Santa Clara Church, the Knights of Columbus and the personnel at St. John's Regional Medical Center and Oxnard Manor.

May God richly bless you all! The Duke Family

Funeral arrangements under the care of Funeraria del Angel Conrad's & James Reardon in Oxnard, CA