Homer N. “Duke” Fender, Jr.
October 6, 1944 - June 10, 2018
Homer N. Duke Fender, Jr., age 73, of Bear, DE, passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Galax, VA on October 6, 1944, he was a son of the late Homer N. and Lucy (Anders) Fender. Duke graduated from Woodlawn High School. He began working for Chrysler in April 1965 and retired after 34 dedicated years in October 1999.
Duke enjoyed hunting, fishing, car racing and relaxing on the beach. More importantly he loved spending time with his family. Homer was a proud member of the VFW Post 475. Above all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend to many.
In addition to his parents, Duke was preceded in death by his brothers, James Fender, Ernest Fender, Porter Fender and James Smith; sister, Dell Carico; and granddaughter, Ashley Staats. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara (Swanson) Fender; daughters, Dawn Fender (Richard Wroten) and Amy Staats (Tom); brother, Bobby G. Smith; granddaughter, Haley Heal; great grandchildren, Grace, Kennan, Michael and Arianna; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Friday, June 15, 2018, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 3407, Newark, DE 19713.
Mickey nagel
RIP Uncle Duke. You are going to be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Aunt Barbara Amy Staats and family & Dawn Fender and family.
Kevin Nagel
Mickey Nagel
Blake Nagel
Amber Sands
Janet & Steve Weaver
Dear Barbara and Family,
I am sincerely sorry for your loss. Our Thoughts an Prayers are with you at this time.RIP DUKE!
Bob Collins
Barbi, Dawn and Amy I’m really saddened to learn of Duke’s passing. He was a special person. Joyce and I did two cruises with your mom and dad had a great time on both of them. Wish we would have done more. On a stop in St. Thomas your dad and I stopped at a local establishment while Joyce and your mom went………you guessed it shopping. Duke and I spent at least 5 hours in the establishment and when it came time to pay the bill we had to pull our money and left broke but we had a blast. That day however I really got to know your dad and how much each of you meant to him. He spoke with pride about each you. I know guys in our generation it is sometimes difficult to say those things out load but it was in his heart for sure.
I hope you can find peace and comfort knowing Duke is without pain, at peace and was graciously accepted in to God’s Kingdom.
Harvey n sherri fisher
So sorry to lose are neighbor at sbl
.may u Rest In Peace
Carl and Catherine Swanson
You will always be in our hearts and memories. We love you .
Richard Beardsley
BARB, so sad to read about DUKE. Sorry that we cannot attend the Celebration of Life. We will be on the West Coast. God Bless and may he RIP…..Richard & Kathy Beardsley
Judy Mitchell
Barbara, you’ve been in my heart and prayers. Praying God will give you a peace that passes all understanding. Judy
Dr. Charles Calhoon
Barb – Our hearts are with you during this sad time. With Deepest Sympathy, Dr. Calhoon, Dr. Karian, Robin, Taylor, Theresa, Tina, Peggy, Nicole, Beth, Denise, Debbie
Rodney Burruss
Barb, my condolences to you and your family at this time of sorrow. You are all in my prayers.
Rodney
Debra iIgo
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Peggy Mahaley
So sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers for you and family
Jim and Jane Bullen
Barb, we are so sorry. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
With Love
Jim and Jane
John DeRose
Sorry for your lose. My prayers are with you.
Debra Hall
I am so glad for the last visit at Mom and Dad’s house, K.T. and Dell Carico. Uncle Duke and Aunt Barb,, Uncle Bill, Aunt Dee and Randy Joe and myself. Then soon after that Mom (Dell) passed. Now Uncle Duke and Mom are in Paradise together with Jesus. Mom loved her family. “Heavenly Father, I pray that your very presence be with Uncle Dukes family. Comfort them and give them the strength to indure this morning process.” I love you guys!
Carol Boyce Pressell
Barbara, I am so very sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family at this difficult time.
Sandra Johnston
My Thoughts and Prayers are with you as Duke will be missed by many. He was a kind and Loving person. I for one understand the loss of a Loved One and how much hurt there is for Wife and Family at this time. I know that he is now at peace and shall have comfort. May Family and all your Friends be of great comfort for you in the coming days and weeks of recovering from your loss. My Family and I are so sorry for Duke, yourself Barbara and Girls.God Bless you all.
Sandi
Darlene
Judy
Debbie
Barbara Marandola-Brice
Poppi The Duke-The amount of love and laughter you have brought into our lives cannot be measured. I can never thank you enough for always being there when I needed you. You may not physically be here, but you will never leave our hearts. I have heard that heaven has the best cruises, with the most amazing fishing, hunting, and coldest BL. Enjoy-until we meet again!
Barb, Dawn, & Amy, I wish I could heal your hearts and find the words to comfort you. We love you and are here for you.
Barb, Ken, and Jeremy (Jerimiah)
Natasha Hawk
A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts, through us, they live on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless
Natasha
John Morrow
Thinking of the many, many great conversations while enjoying a beverage at the post. Duke was instrumental in post 475 being able to start our men`s auxiliary to give recognition to male family members of veterans. In fact he managed the income from the pull tab machine. They, the men`s auxiliary, where always able to support members in need with financial assistance, because of Dukes diligence and concern. We all loved his stories of hunting and his venison crock pot meals. Duke you have been and will continue to be missed and remembered by all here at the post.
John Morrow & Alice Burrell
Stephanie Riley
In life you get to choose to add to the family that God blesses you with at birth and in my case my parents added Aunt Barb and Mr. Duke. There is not a time in my memory that they were not a part of my family. Most of my greatest memories have Mr. Duke in them. From his West Virginia drawl, his little mean dog Sugar, his “pocketbook” filled with Budweiser, his smile, his laughter, his stories, his jokes, but most of all his protection. He looked out for those he loved and cared about. Aunt Barb…my heart is broken for the loss of Mr. Duke and for all of you. In my life many people have come and gone and some of them left lasting impressions…Mr. Duke is one of them and I will miss him. Rest in Paradise Mr. Duke!
Kenneth Rogers
To Mrs. Barbara, Amy and Dawn
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your husband and father Duke.Praying and asking God to bring you peace comfort and strength during this difficult time. he will be missed and will always be in your heart and memories. R.I.P Duke