Kenneth Michael Duke

Kenneth Michael Duke of Easton, MD, passed away on April 18, 2023. He was 79 years old. Kenneth is preceded in death by both of his parents; his wife, Charlotte; and his daughter, Kelley Duke Brown. Kenneth was born in Lynchburg, VA, on May 31, 1943, to the late Robert and E. Obenia Duke. Kenneth was the oldest of four children. At a young age, Kenneth’s family lived in Newport News, VA and Cleveland, OH. During his formative years, his family moved to Peekskill, NY, where he graduated from Peekskill High School in 1961. Kenneth played football, basketball, and ran track throughout his high school career and received numerous accolades and awards for his athletic ability. Upon Kenneth’s high school graduation, he earned a football scholarship and attended what is now known as Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. While attending Morgan State University, Kenneth met and subsequently married, his college sweetheart, Charlotte Elizabeth Nutter, in 1963. Kenneth’s professional football career began in 1966 when he was drafted in the nineteenth round of the NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts. In 1967, he played in the COFL for the Hartford Charter Oaks. In 1968, he played in the ACFL for the Bridgeport Jets for two and a half seasons. In 1969, Kenneth played for the Long Island Bulls for the remainder of that season and played on the practice squad for the Washington Redskins and completed his football career in the CFL that same year. Upon earning his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut at Bridgeport and Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago, Kenneth had a successful career in the school social work field, where he had a profound effect on many families and youth in the Boston, MA, Bridgeport, CT, Newark, NJ, and Baltimore, MD, areas. Kenneth was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame for coaching track and field at Science High School. The members of his track team were known as “Duke’s Girls.” Most recently, Kenneth was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate degree from Morgan State University for his civil rights effort. After retiring from two school systems, Newark Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools, he and his wife, Charlotte, moved to Georgetown, DE. While he resided in Delaware, he was very active with Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. Following the death of his wife, he moved to Easton, MD, to be near his family. Kenneth is survived by his siblings, Wyonella D. Rux (Marvin), Robyn D. Ausberry (Marshal), and Elaine Duke; his children, Ronald Harding (Cheryl) and Kimberly Moseley (Anthony); his grandchildren, Sherree Devereaux, Trent Harding, Amanda Moseley, Michael Moore (Stephanie), Mia Moseley, Morgan Moseley, Taylor Brown, Tori Brown, Taryn Brown, and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial gathering and service will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home located at 408 South Liberty Street, Centreville, MD, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the Duke’s Girls non-profit organization founded in Mr. Duke’s honor in 2018. Contributions can be sent via PayPal or Zelle to dukesgirlstrack@gmail.com.

Kenneth Michael Duke

May 31, 1943 - April 18, 2023