Cleo L. Dukes
1931-2013
Tarkio, Missouri

Cleo Laverne Dukes was born on April 5, 1931, to Fred Lee and Myrtle (Auten) Dukes. He was the seventh of seven children and grew up on a farm east of Hopkins, Missouri. He attended country schools and graduated from Sheridan, Missouri High School. Cleo then served his country in the United States Army from January 23, 1952 to January 22, 1954.

On May 16, 1954, Cleo was united in marriage to Mary Lou Pursell in Bedford, Iowa. They became the parents of two daughters, Debra and Lynn. Cleo farmed near Westboro, Missouri, then moved to Greeley, Colorado, where he worked as a supervisor at a meat processing business. The family then returned to Tarkio, Missouri, where Cleo was instrumental in building Missouri Beef Packers and was also employed as a foreman when it opened. He then worked in beef packing plants in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Friona, Texas, before he retired from Monfort Beef Plant in Grand Island, Nebraska, in 1996. They returned to Tarkio, Missouri, and lived there to the present time.

Cleo enjoyed gardening, woodworking and visiting with people. His greatest joy was his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cleo was an ordained deacon and taught Sunday school at the Tarkio First Baptist Church. Cleo passed away Monday, November 25, 2013, at Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri.

Besides his parents, Cleo was preceded in death by brothers, Fae, Rex and Denzel Dukes; and sisters, Rachel Cox, Clara Holker and Eva Fine. Survivors left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Mary Lou, Tarkio; children, Debra Sybert and husband, Lloyd, Sidney, Nebraska and Lynn Stevens, Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Heidi Rivord, Heath Sybert, Tabitha Stevens and Aaron Stevens; great-grandchildren, Teesha and Lars Sybert, Matthew Rivord, Hailie Turner, Cody Yates, Taylor and Tanner Sybert; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service:
2:00 P.M., Friday, November 29, 2013, First Baptist Church, Tarkio, Missouri.
Interment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
Open visitation will begin 10:00 A.M., Thursday, November 28, 2013, Davis Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 P.M., Friday, prior to the service, at First Baptist Church.
Memorials: First Baptist Church, Tarkio or Tarkio Rehabilitation and Healthcare.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.