University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Letterman and Athens Businessman Leroy Dukes Passes Away
September 05, 2008 | Football
ATHENS-------- Former University of Georgia football letterman, Athens businessman, and long time Bulldog supporter Leroy Dukes died Thursday night in Athens. He was 68.
Born Sept. 13, 1939, in Jesup, Ga., Dukes lettered for the Bulldogs in 1962-63-64 after serving in the Air Force. He then carved out a lifetime career as an Athens businessman most notably as the owner and operator of the Athens Ramada Inn.
He was named recipient of the Dan Magill Award in 1993 presented by the Southeast Georgia Bulldog Club for longtime support of Georgia athletics.
A graduate of Patterson (Ga.) High School, Dukes’ Georgia career included his senior year as a member of Vince Dooley’s first team in 1964. During his career at UGA, he was voted the outstanding player in the 1962 Georgia-N.C. State game.
A 1965 graduate of Georgia ( B.S. Education), Dukes served many roles in support of the Bulldogs. Among them were President of both the Athens Touchdown Club and UGA Football Lettermens’ Club. He was also active in numerous other activities serving as chairman of the Athens Area All-Star Games Committee, Georgia Athletic Agent’s Regulatory Commission, Clarke County Classic Center Authority, and the Vince Dooley 20th and 25th Anniversary celebrations.
He was recipient of many honors including the Contributions to Amateur Football Award by the UGA Chapter of the National Football Foundation, Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Distinguished Servce Award, GACA Sam Burke Award, and GACA Lifetime Membership Award.
His son, David, became the first, second-generation Bulldog to play for Dooley. David lettered for the Bulldogs as a quarterback in 1984-85-86-87.
Dukes is survived by his wife, Susan, and children David, Margaret, and Andrew.
Memorial services will be held Monday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Emanuel Episcopal Church in Athens.
Bernstein’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Born Sept. 13, 1939, in Jesup, Ga., Dukes lettered for the Bulldogs in 1962-63-64 after serving in the Air Force. He then carved out a lifetime career as an Athens businessman most notably as the owner and operator of the Athens Ramada Inn.
He was named recipient of the Dan Magill Award in 1993 presented by the Southeast Georgia Bulldog Club for longtime support of Georgia athletics.
A graduate of Patterson (Ga.) High School, Dukes’ Georgia career included his senior year as a member of Vince Dooley’s first team in 1964. During his career at UGA, he was voted the outstanding player in the 1962 Georgia-N.C. State game.
A 1965 graduate of Georgia ( B.S. Education), Dukes served many roles in support of the Bulldogs. Among them were President of both the Athens Touchdown Club and UGA Football Lettermens’ Club. He was also active in numerous other activities serving as chairman of the Athens Area All-Star Games Committee, Georgia Athletic Agent’s Regulatory Commission, Clarke County Classic Center Authority, and the Vince Dooley 20th and 25th Anniversary celebrations.
He was recipient of many honors including the Contributions to Amateur Football Award by the UGA Chapter of the National Football Foundation, Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Distinguished Servce Award, GACA Sam Burke Award, and GACA Lifetime Membership Award.
His son, David, became the first, second-generation Bulldog to play for Dooley. David lettered for the Bulldogs as a quarterback in 1984-85-86-87.
Dukes is survived by his wife, Susan, and children David, Margaret, and Andrew.
Memorial services will be held Monday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Emanuel Episcopal Church in Athens.
Bernstein’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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