Accident claims mission president
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KAMPALA, Uganda — President Ralph L. Duke, 57, was killed in an early-morning traffic accident Thursday, May 10, while serving as president of the Uganda Kampala Mission in east Africa.
When the accident occurred, he and his wife, Kim, were believed to be returning to the mission office around 6:30 a.m. after having taken missionaries to the Entebbe Airport . There were no other passengers in the car at the time of the accident.
Sister Duke was treated and later released from the hospital. Further details of the accident have not been released.
A grocer and rancher by trade, President Duke was active as a leader in business, civic and religious affairs.
He was known for his integrity and ability to serve and work with people. He served three missions; one in Australia as a young man; a second with his wife overseeing the Church Education System in Johannesburg, South Africa; and his most recent assignment as mission president in Uganda.
"He was a giant of a man for everybody that knew him," said his son, R.L. Duke. "He was an example to the community. He just possessed all the qualities that we all strive to attain. He wasn't fake — people loved him. He loved the gospel and the Church and devoted his whole life to that cause, to service."
A member of the Valley Hills 1st Ward, Heber Utah North Stake, President Duke was a former counselor in the stake presidency. He was born in 1949 in Heber, Utah, to William Howard and Ellen Child Duke. He is survived by his wife, sons R.L., Spencer and Mike, and a daughter, Katie.
He and his wife began service in July 2005.
Funeral will be held Saturday, May 19 at 1 p.m. in the Heber Utah North Stake Center located at 521 E. 500 North in Heber City.
