Obituary for John M. Duckett
John Martin Duckett, 97, Jefferson City, Mo., passed to the house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens on April 3, 2023, at Valley Park Retirement Center.
John was born on November 28, 1925, in Williamsville, Mo., the son of John Walter and Neta Irene (Burkett) Duckett.
He was married on June 28, 1947, to Kathleen “Katy” Louise (Gregory) Duckett, who preceded him in death on February 9, 2013.
John graduated in 1943 from Williamsville High School and was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly thereafter. Upon completion of boot camp, he was transported aboard the USS Washington to Marseilles, France. He was in communications for the 100th Division, 397th Regimental Headquarter and attained the rank of T5 (corporal) serving in France, Belgium, and Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge.
Upon his return home, he utilized his GI Bill to internship with his father-in-law, Gerald R. Gregory, to learn automotive mechanics. This led him to employment with the Missouri State Highway Department, now MODOT, where he spent the next 35+ years, retiring as Superintendent of Headquarters Garage in the Mill Bottom.
John was a 66-year member of the Masonic fraternity. He was a past Master of Sikeston Lodge #310, where he also served as District Deputy Grand Lecturer. After his promotion to Jefferson City, he affiliated with Jefferson Lodge #43, where he also served as District Deputy Grand Lecturer. John was a 50-year member with York Rite, an Ambassador of the Moolah Shrine Temple, the Capital Shrine Club, where he served as treasurer of the Club, and was a member of the Capital Mini Indi’s.
John and Katy greatly enjoyed dancing. They square danced, swing danced, ball danced, and line danced. They traveled to New Hampshire, Mexico, Hawaii, and Germany, where his brother Frank took him on a tour of the areas he experienced during his time in WWII. Also, they enjoyed attending the Central States Shrine Association annual competitions at the different seven states.
He is survived by his daughter, Patricia I. (Dan) Jones of Sikeston, Mo.; son, Gregory L. (Kathryn) Duckett of Holts Summit, Mo.; grandsons, Dale (Brittany) Mock of New Hamburg, Mo., and Matthew G. (Melissa) Duckett of Holts Summit, Mo.; great grandson, Steven T. (Anna) Mock of Oran, Mo.; great granddaughters, Claire E. Duckett and Harper G. Duckett of Holts Summit, Mo.; one brother, Frank Duckett of Williamsburg, Va.
John is preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Katy; grandson, John D. Mock; and siblings, Melba, Margaret, Eugene, and Claudine.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary on Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
A Masonic service will begin at 12:00 p.m., in the Freeman Chapel under the auspices of Jefferson Lodge No. 43, A.F. & A.M. Funeral service to follow with the Reverend Dr. Kenneth Chapman officiating. Graveside services and entombment with full military honors will be held at the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Please make checks payable to the Capitol Shrine Club and mail any memorials to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo., 65109.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
John was born on November 28, 1925, in Williamsville, Mo., the son of John Walter and Neta Irene (Burkett) Duckett.
He was married on June 28, 1947, to Kathleen “Katy” Louise (Gregory) Duckett, who preceded him in death on February 9, 2013.
John graduated in 1943 from Williamsville High School and was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly thereafter. Upon completion of boot camp, he was transported aboard the USS Washington to Marseilles, France. He was in communications for the 100th Division, 397th Regimental Headquarter and attained the rank of T5 (corporal) serving in France, Belgium, and Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge.
Upon his return home, he utilized his GI Bill to internship with his father-in-law, Gerald R. Gregory, to learn automotive mechanics. This led him to employment with the Missouri State Highway Department, now MODOT, where he spent the next 35+ years, retiring as Superintendent of Headquarters Garage in the Mill Bottom.
John was a 66-year member of the Masonic fraternity. He was a past Master of Sikeston Lodge #310, where he also served as District Deputy Grand Lecturer. After his promotion to Jefferson City, he affiliated with Jefferson Lodge #43, where he also served as District Deputy Grand Lecturer. John was a 50-year member with York Rite, an Ambassador of the Moolah Shrine Temple, the Capital Shrine Club, where he served as treasurer of the Club, and was a member of the Capital Mini Indi’s.
John and Katy greatly enjoyed dancing. They square danced, swing danced, ball danced, and line danced. They traveled to New Hampshire, Mexico, Hawaii, and Germany, where his brother Frank took him on a tour of the areas he experienced during his time in WWII. Also, they enjoyed attending the Central States Shrine Association annual competitions at the different seven states.
He is survived by his daughter, Patricia I. (Dan) Jones of Sikeston, Mo.; son, Gregory L. (Kathryn) Duckett of Holts Summit, Mo.; grandsons, Dale (Brittany) Mock of New Hamburg, Mo., and Matthew G. (Melissa) Duckett of Holts Summit, Mo.; great grandson, Steven T. (Anna) Mock of Oran, Mo.; great granddaughters, Claire E. Duckett and Harper G. Duckett of Holts Summit, Mo.; one brother, Frank Duckett of Williamsburg, Va.
John is preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Katy; grandson, John D. Mock; and siblings, Melba, Margaret, Eugene, and Claudine.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary on Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
A Masonic service will begin at 12:00 p.m., in the Freeman Chapel under the auspices of Jefferson Lodge No. 43, A.F. & A.M. Funeral service to follow with the Reverend Dr. Kenneth Chapman officiating. Graveside services and entombment with full military honors will be held at the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Please make checks payable to the Capitol Shrine Club and mail any memorials to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo., 65109.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.