Rip Duke Sr.

Leslie Ripple (Rip) Duke, Sr., 81, of Utopia, TX died Monday, April 27, 2026, in Kerrville, TX.

He was born Dec 2, 1944, to Leslie Ray and Norma Vivian Duke and attended school in Utopia, TX, graduating in 1963.

He married the love of his life Elvie Cantrell on March 27, 1964, in Austin, TX. After working for several years he started his own business in 1976, as a custom home builder, which included building and remodeling private homes, parsonages, a church in Leakey, TX, and the Senior Center in Utopia, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Norma and Leslie, and brother Jack Ray.

He is survived by his wife, Elvie Duke, his four children, Norma Rose Duke, Jacquelyn Ray Duke, Lisa Renee Felkins, Leslie Ripple Duke, Jr., fourteen grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Rip loved serving God by working through his church as a Deacon, a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the Building and Grounds Committee, and helping lead mission trips to Mexico, building homes and churches. He served as a School Board Member for Utopia Independent School District and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, vacationing, being with his family, and pulling a good prank. He was a generous man who found fullment through enriching the lives of those who were around him. He found much satisfaction in life through nature photography.

Visitation will be from 10 -11am Saturday May 16, 2026, at Utopia Baptist Church with the funeral immediately following at 11am. There will be no gravesite service. Honorary pall bearers will be his fourteen grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Utopia ISD