Jim was born in Salt Lake City to Otto and Beatrice Taylor Duke. He attended East High School in Salt Lake City, and served a two-year mission in the Western States Mission. He attended the University of Utah, where he met his sweetheart of more than 63 years, Ruth Stella Sidwell. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 22, 1958. They are the parents of nine children and many precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who they are very thankful for and love dearly.

Jim earned a Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of Utah in Political Science, then earned a PhD in Sociology from UCLA. Jim taught Sociology at BYU, where he taught students for the next 40 years.

He loved his Savior Jesus Christ, and was dedicated to helping others throughout his entire life. He served others through many church callings, as a Church service missionary and as a temple worker with his beloved wife, Ruth.

His funeral will be held at the Sharon 3rd Ward building on 730 E 400 S. Orem, UT 84097 on Saturday, June 11th at 11:30 am. There will be a viewing for family and friends from 10:00 am to 11:15 am that morning at the same location.

Visit the Walker Sanderson website at https://memorials.walkersanderson.com/james-duke/4944522/#details for a more comprehensive obituary.