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Personal Background

 

 

Please turn up your volume and share a song that is very dear to our hearts! (If you receive a notice to update your media player, please click & accept).

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and share some of your memories of Dad with us.

 

On July 16, 1998 Steven Alan Dukes - a father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and beloved friend was tragically taken from us. Through all of our sorrows, we still remain faithful that his sudden death has truly been God's gain!

 

Dad's favorite bible verse states, "But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run, and not grow weary; they will walk, and not be faint," Isaiah 40:31. We know that in heaven Dad is soaring high just as he did with us on earth.

 

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel toward all of you who have steadily remained supportive in our family's lives. Because of your continuous prayers and support, times that seemed simply unbearable were made possible because we have God and you in our lives.

 

We know that our Dad was a very special man who left behind an incredible legacy to our  family. It is an honor to call him Dad; furthermore, an honor to call him a son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Anyone who knew Dad knows this to be true.

 

Although not present, Steven Alan Dukes has certainly not been forgotten. Dad's existence still lives deep within all of our hearts. He is missed greatly by family and friends and will be remembered forever.

 

Again, thank you for visiting this site. The memories you share will be something that we can hold close to our hearts forever. To help better navigate this site and locate specifically what you want, here are a few helpful tips. Above Dad's picture you can locate boxes labeled "tributes & condolences," "memorial candles" and "memories." All three of these boxes allow you to write as much or as little as you like and it will be displayed on this site once completed. The box labeled "photo album" has a few pictures to view if you like. Scroll down on the very right side of the page and you have the ability to email this site to others. We realize the Plant City Courier does not reach everyone that knew Dad. We would greatly appreciate you sharing this site with others that would like to share a memory and honor Dad on the 10 year anniversary of his homegoing.

  

May God bless you and your family always,

 

Eric & Crystal Dukes

     

 

Latest Tributes

Wonderful Person - Eric & Crystal. I will always remember your dad's big smile and always full of joy. Kindness was one of his his greatest virtues. I remember all of our little league outings and nights at the ball park. He always was so kind to everyone. He would always ask us to eat at that big Denny's or Burger King after ballgames. Sometimes me as a single parent did not always have extra money but your dad always wanted us to go along and told us if he ate we ate. It was such a tragic accident but God only takes the best young. We think of you and your family so often. We will continue to keepyou in our prayers. God Bless both of you. We love you. Diane and Jamie Boggs. - from Diane & Jamie Boggs

Remembered with Joy - To all who knew Steve Dukes, the comments already made describe a man full of love and a passion for life. I can still remember you calling across the sanctuary on Sunday mornings "hey fat boy!" I also remember the way you used to fall asleep in "your" chair. But I also remember how surprised you were when we could take you in a wrestling match there in the living room. There are people who come and go without much notice being given and then there are those few who leave a lasting impression in your life and you were one of them. From the moment I was born until the day you left to spend eternity with the Father, you were someone I could talk to and you had such a caring heart. Thank you for being such a great father to Eric and Crystal and thank you for the legacy you left behind. You are remembered with joy this day as I look to the future when I will hear "hey fat boy". - from Patrick Stalnaker

A Wonderful Man - Dear Mr.Dukes, You are a big part of how I became the woman I am today. You thought so much of me when Crystal was just starting the High School and you entrusted her in my hands. You made me feel so important. I remember all of the talks we used to have and I will treasure them forever. The day you past away was the day God got a wonderful man that I know I will see again in the future. God works miracles in our lives and you happened to be onw in mine. I am sorry that you had to miss watching your beautiful daughter and handsome son become the people they are today, but you definitely paved their way to a wonderful future. I miss you dearly, but the fact that I will see you again relieves all of my pain. Love, Kristen Parke Hitchcock - from Kristen Parke Hitchcock

Remembering Steve - Hi Steve, I talk to you often but have never written my thoughts. My memories of you go back to when you were a little squirt and your Dad would bring you to the TECO office for a visit. You then became old enough to drive and with that came a car and a JOB! You were my favorite bag boy at Publix. It was about this time we started cheering you on every Friday nite during football season. You were an intricate part of the team with your great sense of humor and work ethic. Hank sure enjoyed you. Before long, you were married and started your beautiful family. It was fun to watch you grow into a great provider and loving Dad. My last memory took place on the Sunday before the accident. You, Karen, Harry, Trish and all the kids joined Hank & I at the beach condo. What fun. At one point I was sitting on the side of the pool (hair & makeup done!) when you mentioned I needed baptised. I assured you I had been baptised long ago and anyway we (Presbyterians) sprinkle. You said "We dont." The next thing I knew I was at the bottom of the pool. We all laughed for hours. As a matter of fact, Steve, most of my memories of you include laughter. You were one of a kind and we miss you. I'm sure you and Dad are enjoying time together now. However, in Heaven there are no such things as bad weather and low market prices so I have no idea what you're talking about. You are loved and missed. Sandee for Hank, too - from Sandee Sytsma

We miss you - Dear Mr. Steve, I don't think they could have picked a better song for you. I have never forgotten it in all these 10 long years. You have such wonderful kids, and I love them both. You were such a selfless and loving dad. Heaven got a great man that day. Despite the pain that will always be felt, we know there is life after this ragged earth is over. You have already seen it in all its Glory!! For that you are to be envied. You were so very loved by so many people. We will miss you! - from Stephanie Hinson Sherwood

Latest Memories

Elizabeth (Niswanger) Lane - It is so telling of the man Steve was that even ten years+ after his death friends are still telling of his kindnesses and warmth. I worked with Steve at Publix many, many years ago when we were both in high school. He never met a stranger and he treated every person as an equal. Not perfect, however, he was a great jokester and if a roll of toilet paper came flying over one of the aisles after closing time you could be sure it was Steve at the other end. He was one of the most genuine young men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I know you, as his family, will continue to miss him the rest of your lives.

Debbie Moore - I remember the first time I met Steve. It was in the late 70s or early 80s. We had our house on Hwy 92 up for sale and Steve stopped by to look at it and get info. At the time, I was new to Dover, having been born and raised in Tampa. I remember him telling me that he was a strawberry farmer and that he was interested in buying our home because he didn’t want to live where he farmed. He went on to explain to me, a city girl, that when a farmer lives on his farm, everyone knows where he lives and will come by and take up the precious time he could be spending with his family. It was very pleasant meeting Steve with his southern drawl and knowing that this handsome, friendly young man with the sweetest smile wanted to spend time with his family. In all the years I lived in Dover, I never got the chance to speak with Steve again. But I'm very happy I got the chance to meet him. It is a very fond memory for me. Thank you for letting me share it with you.

Frankie Pizzitola - What can I say about my "Best Friend Steve", I miss him more and more as time goes by. For those who do not know me, I am Steve's friend from Houston Texas and our relationship was let's just say "Special" to say the least. Steve and I were both on a cruise back in 1979 and I remember it like it was yesterday. We were arriving at a port in the Bahama's, standing on the upper deck, and all of a sudden this loud country boy starts talking to me," Hey partner, where you from" as if he had known me all his life. Within a few minutes we decided to go ashore together and explore the Island. From that point on we were together the entire cruise and just had a great time for the rest of the trip. We exchanged phone numbers, like we did with a few other couples, and we started talking on the phone at least monthly and sometimes weekly, depending on what was going on in our life at the time. We quickly became what both of us considered to be Best Friends and supported each other through good times and bad. I made numerous trips to Florida and Steve made trips here to Houston. I remember meeting Steve at Hobby airport one time when he was just flying through Houston to go to California to teach those farmers how to grow Strawberries, we even had a great time at the airport for a few hours. I could go on for hours about how Steve and I took care of each other and had a bond that to this day, is missing from my life. For now let me just say that I miss Steve more each day that goes by. It seems that the older I get the more I realize how special our relationship was. There is and always will be a void in my life that Steve filled in so many ways. I have met alot of people in my life but I have never met another person like Steve Dukes, he was truly a One of a Kind. Miss You Steve, Frankie Pizzitola

C.W & Betty Dukes - Looking back on the past ten years, we as parents of Steve, have had time to think of what a really special son we had. God blessed us for over forty years with our son who loved his Lord, family and friends with all his heart. His great sense of humor, smile, laughter and personality brought so much joy to all who knew him. His caring and loving spirit created a bond with so many in our community and we treasure the many stories we've been told of his helping hand to them. We truly miss him and his wonderful bear hugs so much but we know he's in heaven where God loves him more than we ever could and we look forward to joining him when God calls us home.