George Duke Joins the Class of 2021 in a Special Ceremony
George Duke was a Taylor High School athletic sensation who left Taylor as a junior in 1962, one credit shy of a high school diploma. This was a result of George being offered a position on the Angel’s minor league baseball team, where he played for two years before leaving to play on a Canadian football team in 1965.
However, in 1966, Mr. Duke pivoted from his athletic career to serve the Country in the United States Navy. While in the Navy, George was stationed on a ship which transported troops to Vietnam. After leaving the Navy in 1970, he finished his career working for Monsanto Agrochemical and Agricultural Biotechnology Corporation.
George was one of eleven siblings and has four children of his own. He grew up close friends with Three Rivers Community Member, John Coleman. Mr. Coleman reflected on his memories with George stating, “he was by far the most talented athlete I have ever known and an all-around great guy.”
On June 29th, Three Rivers Local School District welcomed Mr. Duke’s return for a special ceremony with some of George’s closest friends. During the ceremony, Mr. Duke was officially handed a Taylor High School diploma. At seventy-nine years of age, Mr. George Duke is a Taylor graduate of the Class of 2021!