James Leavitt Duke was born September 18, 1970 to Earl Lawrence and Connie
Leavitt Duke in Tacoma, Washington. Complications at birth led to difficulties
throughout his life.
James was a toe-headed cherub-faced young child. He moved with his family to
Germany in 1973 where he lived and went to school for four years while his father
was stationed with the US Army in Landstuhl and Berlin. In 1977, his family moved
back to the states and settled in North Logan.
As a teenager, James was an aggressive and skilled water-skier and snow skier. He
loved motorcycles and cars and had a soft spot in his heart for animals. He attended
Sky View High School in Smithfield and was an Eagle Scout.
As a result of James' complicated birth and various challenges, his mother became
involved in the National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI). She saw a need for
police officers to be trained to interact with those suffering from metal illnesses. She
attended a convention in Washington DC and helped create the Crisis Intervention
Team (CIT) modeled after the Memphis, Tennessee Police Department. This was
implemented as a training model by Chad Vernon and Scott Blinkenstaffin the
Logan City Police. He is survived by his parents, Earl and Connie Duke of North Logan and five siblings: David (Lori) Duke of Declo, ID; Jennifer (David) Cragun of Springville, UT; Catherine
(John) Brandley of Logan, UT, Amy (Cory) Smith of Hyde Park, UT; Elizabeth (Doug)
Merrill of West Jordan, UT, his companion of 15 years .Deon Nuffer, as well as 28
nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the North Logan 3rd Ward Chapel, 1850 North 400 East. There will be a viewing on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North and at the Church on Saturday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the North Logan Memorial Park and Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at
www.allenmortuaries.net