Ernest Russell Leduke

Ernest Russell LeDuke, age 84, passed away on September 17, 2020. Ernest was born in Wytheville, VA on January 23, 1936. He met his wife, Ann Johnston, at Marion High School in 1950. Ann graduated from Mary Washington College in June 1954 and they were married in August 1954 after Ernest received an Associates Degree from Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA. Ernest worked for his father, Donald LeDuke, at his Pyrofax bottled gas and appliance store business in Marion, VA. Ernest subsequently decided to further his education. He then completed and received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 from the University of Virginia where he was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Fraternity and earned a place in Tau Beta Pi honors society. Ernest went on to work for Cummins, Inc. for 35 years, including a 3 year assignment in England. He took time out during this career to return to the University of Virginia’s Darden School to earn a Master’s of Business Administration in 1971. Ernest was a devoted husband and father as well as a passionate race car enthusiast. He raced his own cars with the Sports Car Club of America in E and F production classes, winning several regional championships in the early ‘80s, crewed by his close friend John Youngblood.
Ernest is predeceased by his parents, Ernest McDonald LeDuke and Lucille Irene Suggs LeDuke. He is survived by his wife, Ann Johnston LeDuke, daughter Gwyndolyn LeDuke Hollins (Kelly, deceased), and grandsons, Arthur Alexander Hollins and Harper McCullough Hollins of Decatur, GA; a son, Ernest Johnston LeDuke (Marsha), grandson David LeDuke (Sierra) and great granddaughters Regina Ann LeDuke and Margaret Rose LeDuke of St. Johns, FL; grandson James Webb (Katie) of Charlotte, NC; and sister Mary Maud Kelly (Jeff), of Aurora, Ill.
Contributions can be made in his honor to the United Methodist Church and the Humane Society of the United States. A service will be held at a later date in Virginia.