Henry Duckett Jr.

Henry Duckett, Jr. 78 passed away early Sunday morning on May 20, 2018 in Paris, Texas. He was born on July 6, 1939 in Harris, Oklahoma to Henry Duckett, Sr. and Bennie Lee Marshall Duckett.

He attended Field Ridge Elementary School in Harris, Oklahoma. He then attended Slater-Rosenwald School, followed by one year at Booker T. Washington in Idabel, Oklahoma. In 1957, he earned a diploma from Riverside High School in Harris, Oklahoma.

Mr. Duckett enlisted in the Army immediately upon graduation and remained in the military for a total of 8 years. Private First Class (PFC) Duckett was based at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky where he was a paratrooper. In 1965, he was transferred to Baumholder, Germany where he worked as a medic and provided medical services to injured soldiers.

In 1967, he ended his career in the military and returned home to Harris where he worked for Red River Army Depot in New Boston, TX. Upon leaving employment there, he obtained a job with Pilgrim's Pride as a truck driver.  He then worked for A & P Trucking for a brief time prior to securing employment with Weyerhaeuser in Valliant, Oklahoma. After 19 years with that company, he retired in 2002.

Shortly after retirement, he decided that retirement was not for him, so he sought employment doing what he loved most; driving. He became a driver for Little Dixie Agency in Idabel. Mr. Duckett loved driving and talking with his riders. He transported people from Idabel to Oklahoma City, Paris, TX, Shreveport, LA, Dallas, TX, and Texarkana, as well as many other cities. He retired from that position in 2014.

He joined Beulah Chapel Baptist Church in Harris as a youth. In 1976, he was ordained as a deacon in his home church. He also served at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for many years prior to his service with Westside First Baptist Church in Idabel; for a total of 42 years. He also loved participating with the Southeastern District Brotherhood where he was the Vice-President.

Mr. Duckett was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Fleeks and Odell Woods; and sisters, Arvella Walker and Georgia Forte'.

Remembering him with love are: Wife, Elouise Duckett of Idabel. Son, Vincent (Rosalind) Duckett of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Sisters, Mary Cotton of San Diego, California; Betty Hunter-Johnson of Idabel. Brothers, John Hunter and Willis Hunter, both of Idabel. Grandchildren, Andrea (Dante') Sellers of Phoenix, Arizona; Anthony Crook of Anchorage, Alaska; and Andrew Duckett of Phoenix, Arizona.

Also, God daughter, Sade' (Jamaal) Clark of Little Rock, Arkansas. Great-grandchildren, Jade Sellers and Tristyn Sellers. Extended family members include Tanya (Love) Murry and Lela (Willie) Bates, all of Little Rock, Arkansas. And a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

"May the work he did speak for him."