Vernon Duke

Vernon Eugene Duke passed away at his home on October 5, 2025. He was born on January 13, 1932, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and spent his childhood in Chickasaw, Alabama. He and his wife, Elinor, raised their family in the Forest Hill community of Mobile and after much urging from his daughters, Vernon and Elinor, moved to Silverhill, Alabama, where he resided until his death.

Vernon graduated from Murphy High School in 1950. Through a co-op with the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company (ADDSCO), he attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API), now Auburn University, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Industrial Management. He was awarded a Bachelor of Law degree from LaSalle Extension University in 1969. Vernon also served in the US Naval Reserves from January 1955 to January 1959.

Upon graduation, Vernon began a long career with ADDSCO as the director of the Insurance Department handling workers' compensation claims. After retiring from the shipyard, he worked in healthcare quality assurance.

In the early 1990's, Vernon was hired by the State of Alabama, Department of Industrial Relations, Workers' Compensation Division as an ombudsman and mediator. He mediated the first Benefit Review Conference conducted by the workers' compensation division resolving a long-disputed claim between an employee and employer. He also helped draft the 1992 amendments of the Alabama Workers' Compensation Law, which was the last comprehensive revision of the current law. After his retirement from the state, he continued mediating workers' compensation claims on a consulting basis until his mid-80's.

Vernon is survived by Elinor, his wife of 68 years; his daughters: Kathy Milne, Sally Labak (Scott) and Cindy Barrow (Tom); his grandchildren: William Milne (Elizabeth), Sarabeth Hacker, Caitlin Milne, Seth Labak (Lauren) and Nicholas Barrow; his great-grandchildren: Duke, James and Poppy Milne, Joseph Graf and his siblings: Henry and Elinor Grace Hacker, Beau Taylor, and Foster and Eliza Louise Labak.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Blanche Duke; his brother, William Duke and his sister, Barbara Mabry.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 6100 Three Notch Rd., Mobile, Alabama 36619.

War Damn Eagle Paw Paw!