Calvin Dukes

Asheville Calvin Robert Dukes, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at his home. Mr. Dukes was born December 19, 1926 in St George, SC to George Canaday and Eva Singletary Dukes. He married Claudia Judy on November 21, 1946 in Walterboro, SC. After he left high school in St George, he served in the Army Air Corps during WWII until he was hurt and stationed in Germany where he was sent to Augusta, GA at Fort Gordon. They lived and raised two children until 1969 in Augusta, GA. After his release from the service, he was employed by Enterprise Cotton Mill, as a loom fixer, in Augusta, GA for 25 years. He then worked for Bowers Thrift Store for about 3 years that lead him to becoming the manager and buyer for all the Sky City Stores of the Camera Dept, headquartered in Asheville, NC in 1969, where he and Claudia and their two children Roberta and John moved to. After Sky City closed, he worked for Walmart, here in Asheville, until his retirement at age 81. He enjoyed photography, woodworking, music, and played guitar, harmonica and accordion whenever he could. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church on Haywood Road, here in Asheville, since coming to Asheville in 1969 where he was a deacon, member of the adult choir and Sunday School class. He also was a founding member of the Calvary Singers that went for 40 years to sing at several of the Asheville Nursing Homes. He is preceded in death by both his parents, George and Eva Dukes; brothers, Clemon Dukes, William (Bill) Dukes and Rev. Morgan Dukes; sisters, Ulla Mae Campbell and Norma Tabor; son, John Canaday Dukes who died in 1999, son-in-law, Robert Petree who died in 2000 and great-great-grandson, Hunter Hooper. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Claudia Judy Dukes of the home; daughter, Roberta Dukes Petree of Asheville; Robertas oldest son, Michael Anderson (Heather) of Asheville; Michaels two children, great-grandson Austin Anderson of Malone, FL and great-granddaughter Alyssa Anderson of Asheville; also, Michaels step great-grandson, Watt Cherry; Robertas youngest son, Robbie Anderson (Leslie) and their two daughters, great-granddaughters Hannah and Haylee Anderson; Robbies step sons, Johnathan Anderson (April), Giovannie and Nathaniel Anderson (Johnathans sons); James Anderson (Mandy) and James daughter, Emma Anderson of Asheville and Robbies step daughter, Heather Parton (Jeff) and their children, Nicolas, Josh and Addison Parton of Canton; Johns oldest daughter, Barbara Dukes Clayson (Greg) and their two boys, great-grandsons Theo and Calvin Clayson of New Burn; Johns youngest daughter, Marie Belvelry (Eddie) of Asheville and several nieces and nephews. Also, his dear and faithful friends and neighbor, John and Arleen Gibson, upon whom he depended greatly. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806 with Rev. Buddy Corbin, Rev. Don Welborn and Rev. Butch Stillwell officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM Saturday at the church. A private burial to follow at Pisgah View Memorial Park for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Voluntary Services c/o Charles George VA Medical Center, Mental Health Services, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805, or Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806 or CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.