Lloyd Ray Duke, Jr., 88, of Olla, passed from this life on Saturday December 12 at 12:36 a.m.
Ray was born in Tullos on October 3, 1932, to the union of his parents, Lloyd Ray Duke, Sr. and Daphne Cupples Duke.
Ray moved to Olla in 1940 and graduated from LaSalle High School, attended Louisiana College, where he played basketball, football and baseball, graduated from NLU, received a Masters Degree from LSU, and an Educational Specialist Degree from NLU.
Ray was a teacher, coach and principal of Urania Elementary, LaSalle High School and Olla Standard Elementary. He served twelve years on the LaSalle Parish School Board.
He served in the United States Army Reserves and was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. In Germany he was in the 18th Army Field Artillery Group and placed in charge of recreation for the European Theater, as well as coaching football for the 18th Group. He lived a life of service in his church, community, country and family. He will be greatly missed.
Private graveside services were held Sunday, Dec. 13, in the Olla Cemetery with the Revs. Johnnie Phillips and Dennis Baker officiating.
Interment followed under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia and Olla.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of life at a later date, for friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Katherine Eades and Elizabeth “Libby” Ann Parham.
He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Carriece Lindsey Duke of Olla; daughters, Kay Rider and her husband Gary, and Sandy Bradshaw and husband Mark, all of Urania; granddaughters, Sarah Peppers, Allison Beaubouef (Justin) and Lindsey Clement (Walter); five great-granddaughters, Hallie and Kaylin Peppers, Sadye and Jules Beaubouef and Caris Clement; five great-grandsons, Blade, Cayden and Tanner Beaubouef, Hill and Brennan Clement; brothers, Mike Duke and Lynn Duke; sister, Barbara Jean Stegall (Deanie); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers were Roger Dobbs, Chris Barnhill, Brett Hester, Craig Parham, Corey Parham, Timmy Duke, Michael Duke, Chris Duke, Rick Smotherman, Caleb Callender and Doug Thompson.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the roofing fund of First Baptist Church of Olla.