Obituary of Vernon Leslie Duke

Vernon Leslie Duke (Buz) passed peacefully on May 22, 2024, 9:05pm CDT, at the age of 91 in Fort Worth, TX.

He was surrounded by those who loved him, including his wife of 68 years, Ida Lee Enzor Duke. Vernon was born on October 8,1932, in Denver, CO, to Annie Elizabeth LeRossignol Duke and Vernon Johnson Duke. He graduated from South Side High School (1950) in Rockville Centre, NY, and continued his education at Colorado State University on an ROTC scholarship. Vernon began his career in Fire Protection with FIA in Charlotte, NC. This is when he met Ida Lee. Vernon served his country as a B-25 pilot in the Air Force, and he and Ida Lee were married on March 31, 1956 in Enid, OK, where Vernon was in flight training. Their first child, Elizabeth Anne arrived in 1957. After discharging from the Air Force, Vernon returned to FIA. Their second child, Janet Lillian, was born in 1962. In 1966 Vernon secured a Fire Protection Engineering position at Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, NM. He retired 29 years later in 1995. Vernon had a full life doing what he loved, which included taking care of his family, engineering, sailing, skiing, birds, gardening, and riding in 100 mile mountain bicycle races. He had a dry sense of humor that kept those around him laughing, an inquisitive mind that loved research, and a kind heart that never looked down on others. He had a unique way of being content and finding happiness in any situation.

Vernon is proceeded in death by his parents and sisters Mary Anne McKibben (Jeff), Eleanor Butterfield (Duane), and Laura Determan (Robert - still living).

He is survived by his wife, Ida Lee Enzor Duke; his children Elizabeth Anne Trevithick (John) and Janet Lillian Cabiness (Michael); grandchildren John A. Trevithick (Krysten), Ashley L. Cabiness Davis (Matthew), Sean D. Trevithick (Michaela), and Nicholas R. Cabiness, and step-granddaughters Angela Trevithick and Beth Trevithick Salaz (Eli); great grandchildren Ryan Trevithick, Everett Davis, Emilia Trevithick, Mackenzie Davis, Abigail Trevithick, and step great grandchildren Cisco Trevithick, Alyssa Trevithick, Cassie Trevithick, Alice Salaz, Roman Salaz, and Jayden Trevithick; brother Walter Duke and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is already very missed and left a hole in our hearts.