George C. Duke, 77, of Leonardtown, MD died December 22, 2008 in St. Mary's Hospital. He was born July 19, 1931 in Leonardtown, MD to the late Roland B. and Lillian Drury Duke, Sr.

He was the loving husband of Betty J. (Tippett) Duke whom he married on July 19, 1969 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD.

He is also survived by his daughters Laura Duke of Leonardtown, MD and Barbara Wright and her husband Cliff of Marshfield, WI, as well as his siblings; Margaret Stollmier and Eleanor Fehrns, both of Leonardtown, MD, James S. Duke of Tall Timbers, MD and Angela Hicks-SCN (Sisters of Charity of Nazarene) of Louisville, KY.

He was preceded in death by his siblings; Roland B. Duke, Jr., Dickie Duke, Walter F. Duke and Elizibeth Wise.

A lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, George graduated from Mt. St. Joseph's High School "Class of 1949". He was a dispatcher for the control center in St. Mary's County for 30 years, retiring in July of 1992.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from February 26, 1951 to February 25, 1956 where he served in Korea. He belonged to the 3rd and 6th District Volunteer Rescue Squads and was a life member of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 26, 2008 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where Firemen Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD with Fr. John Dakes officiating. Interment will follow in Old St. Aloysius Cemetery, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be members of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department.

Contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.