"SOME OF MY FAVORITE "DADDY" MEMORIES  ... his impressions of Gomer Pyle and Flip Wilson's "Geraldine" ... ... learning to dance by standing on the tops of his feet ... ... him telling me I could catch a bird if I sprinkled salt on its tail (and gullible me believing him!) ... ... learning to water ski ... ... learning to drive for the first time ... ... him replacing my glass of milk with buttermilk (ick!!) ...  ... his yelling that my music was too loud ... ... the way he cried with me when he had to tell me that Pa-Pa had passed away ... ... his bad habit of always hitting the accelerator and the horn when crossing a railroad track to scare the life out of me and my friends ... ... The look on his face as he gave me away at my wedding ... ... wearing his big white t-shirt in my 11th grade production of "South Pacific" ... ... his little way of repeating everything I said just to frustrate me (and he did it for LONG periods of time!) ... ... The way he never minded all of my friends calling him "Daddy Duke" ... ... the way he always called me "Punkin" ... ... and so much more!!

This page is dedicated to "my hero" ... my Dad ... on the occasion of his 62nd birthday (March 7th, 1999).  For anyone who has been lucky enough to know him all of those 62 years, I have to admit that I envy you.  I've known him for 37 years now, and I love and respect him more with each passing day.

ANYONE CAN BE A FATHER BUT IT TAKES SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL TO BE A DAD

"My Father's Eyes" I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl. And my face may not grace the minds of everyone in the world. But that's alright, as long as I can have on wish I pray, When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say ... "She's got her father's eyes ... her father's eyes ... Eyes that find the good in things when good is not around, Eyes that find the source of help, when help just can't be found. Eyes full of compassion ... seeing every pain ... Knowing what you're going through and feeling it the same. Just like her father's eyes." On that day when we will pay for all the deeds we have done, Good and bad they'll all be had to see by everyone. And when you're called to stand and tell just what you saw in me, More than anything I know, I want your words to be ... "She had her father's eyes ... her father's eyes ... Eyes that found the good in things when good was not around, Eyes that found the source of help, when help just couldn't  be found. Eyes full of compassion ... seeing every pain ... Knowing what you're going through and feeling it the same. Just like her father's eyes." "My Father's Eyes" (written by Gary Chapman)

"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardner." John 15:1

"MY HERO" As I ponder the love that I saw in his eyes, A Godly love, given without compromise ... I recall many times that he stood by my side, And prodded me on with great vigor and pride. His voice ever confident, firm and yet fair, Always speaking with patience, tenderness and care. The power and might of his hands was so sure, I knew there was nothing we couldn't endure. It's true, a few others provided insight, Yet, he laid the foundation that kept me upright. He's the grandest of men to have lived on this earth, Although he's not royal by stature or birth. He's a man of great dignity, honor and strength. His merits are noble, and admirable of length. He's far greater than all men that I know, He's my Dad, he's my mentor, my friend and hero. Written by Debbie Hinton Young

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This is my "hero" and Dad, Charles Duke.  He's holding up pretty good for an old fart, don't you think??  ::: grin :::  Happy birthday, Daddy!!

This page was created on March 1st, 1999