Hi everyone,

My name is Hannah Duke, and I’m writing this as a sister who loved her brother more than words can explain.

My brother passed away far too soon. He leaves behind his mom, his sister and most heartbreakingly, his son, who was the light of his life. Losing him has been devastating, and while the circumstances surrounding his passing were incredibly painful, what we want most is to honor who he was, not just how he left us.

Growing up with my brother was like growing up with the coolest kid around. Everyone wanted to be his friend, and once you were, you were lucky!He had that kind of energy that pulled people in effortlessly. He loved football and dreamed of playing for the Denver Broncos one day. He lived fast, laughed loud, and had a lifelong need for speed.

One of my favorite memories is him tubing behind a boat on the lake we grew up on. He’d flash the “Hook ’em Horns” sign at the boat driver, who just happened to be a die-hard Aggie, knowing full well it would guarantee a wild ride. The faster, the better. Jumping waves, holding on for dear life… that was him.

He was also that guy when it came to video games, the one who always beat the hardest levels. I still remember when Xbox Live became a thing and suddenly I hated it, because now he could beat everyone online too.

To honor him, we’re planning a Celebration of Life that reflects what he truly loved: laser tag, bowling, laughter, and togetherness. Afterward, we’ll scatter his ashes in the lake where so many of our favorite memories were made, a place that feels like home and will always be part of him.

Funds raised will help us cover the costs of this celebration and memorial expenses, and ensure we can honor him in a way that feels true to the amazing person he was.

If you’re able to contribute, thank you. If you can’t, sharing memories, photos, or simply keeping our family, especially his son Hunter, in your thoughts means just as much.

We miss him every day. And we’ll keep celebrating him, always.

With love,

Hannah Duke