A devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Haydron ?Buddy? Dukes left this earth on December 11, 2013 to be with his Lord and Savior. Buddy was born on June 13, 1928 in Ponta, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister. Buddy?s father was a sharecropper and oilfield worker, and he spent his childhood growing up in the piney woods of east Texas and northwest Louisiana.

Upon graduating from Rodessa High School at age seventeen, he proudly served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy and was stationed in San Francisco, California. With the help of the G.I. Bill, Buddy obtained a degree in Civil Engineering from his beloved Louisiana Tech University. He then took a job with Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville where within weeks he met the love of his life, Julia Rybka. Buddy and Julie were united in marriage on November 27, 1953 and began their 60 year journey hand-in-hand. That journey took them to New Orleans, Louisiana back to Bartlesville and on to Amarillo, Texas before bringing them to Tulsa in 1963 where Buddy was employed by The Foxboro Company. He later went to work for Crest Engineering, taking assignments in Great Britain and the Middle East. Following his retirement in 1987, he continued to work as an engineering consultant, real estate investor and rancher.

Buddy?s first love was always his family. He welcomed opportunities to coach and attend his sons? athletic events during their youth and cherished family gatherings on weekends and holidays. Buddy enjoyed many hobbies including golfing, ranching, horse shows, rodeos and watching his grandchildren?s sporting events. He was a longtime member of Meadowbrook Country Club where he enjoyed many rounds of golf with friends and family. He owned several farms and ranches over the years and relished spending weekends working cattle and being part of the land.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife, Julia Mae Dukes and their three children, Bob and his wife Lisa, Greg and his wife Patricia, and Kevin and his wife Julie. Buddy was blessed with seven grandchildren, Second Lieutenant Ryan Dukes, Melissa Dukes, Genevieve Dukes, John Dukes, Jessica Dukes, Jacqueline Dukes and Jacob Dukes.

Visitation will be 4-5 PM, Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Moore?s Southlawn. A memorial service will be held in Mason Chapel at Asbury United Methodist Church on December 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Buddy?s memory to the College of Engineering, Louisiana Tech University Foundation, P.O. Box 1190, Ruston, Louisiana 71273-1190. Moore?s Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com