John Duke

John Russell Duke, 61 lifelong resident of Fort Sumner passed away November 08, 2026 at his home following an illness. John was born March 15, 1965 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico to the home of Billy and Jo Ann (Hutson) Duke. John was raised in Fort Sumner and attended Fort Sumner Schools. He played football and ran track for the Fort Sumner Foxes. John graduated with the FSHS class of 1983.

At 17 years old, John started working for Farmer's Electric Cooperative. He worked as a lineman for 38 years and retired in 2020.

John married Barbara Salas on July 31, 1993 in Santa Rosa, NM. Together the two would make Fort Sumner their home and there raise their two children Marla, and Brandan.

John was a member of the Saint Anthony Catholic Church. He spent many years active in the Fort Sumner Bowling League, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

John loved football and enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma University Sooners play.

John is preceded in death by his parents Billy and Jo Ann Duke, his wife Barbara Duke in 2023, and one sister Elizabeth Duke Sparks in 2013.

John is survived by his two children Marla (Kolter) Lewis of Fort Sumner, Brandan Duke of Dumas, Texas, 3 grandgirls Harper, Klara, and Josie Lewis. Also surviving is one sister-in-law Samantha (Hector) Cardenas and their children Eli and Ariana of Rio Rancho, NM, one nephew John (Jessica) Wylie and their children Viola and Thomas all of Minneapolis, Kansas, and one niece Wendy Abeyta and her daughter Autumn Long of Clovis, NM.

Cremation will take place, no services are planned at this time. Please keep the Duke family in your prayers. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 North Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311.