Arnold Lee Dukes, Sr.

Arnold Lee Dukes Sr., affectionately known as “Arnie”, was born to the late Robert Dukes and Evelyn Lewis Dukes in Pittsburgh, PA on July 27, 1948. He was called home to rest on October 2, 2025. He was a devoted husband of 53 years, as well as dedicated father, grandfather (pops), brother, and son.

Raised in the Hill District, neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Arnie grew up on Whiteside Road, where he earned the nickname “Neck” due to having a long neck. He would earn his high school degree from Fifth Avenue High school.

After high school, he went to work in the mill for a short stint as a Quality Control Specialist before receiving Food Trade Training at Connelley Technical Institute, where he would be recognized in the Pittsburgh Press as one of seven managers in the School’s Supermarket Training Program.

Arnie excelled as a Sales and Accounts Representative at Kraft Foods, earning several awards, including Top Ad Promoter in the Great Lakes Region in 1977. He later received an associate degree in business from the Community College of Allegheny County and subsequently worked as a Telecom Specialist at Stadtlanders Pharmaceuticals.

Arnie was known for his outgoing personality and could light up the room with his humor and warmth. He was deeply devoted to his family and always putting them first and making sure they knew how much he loved them. Fiercely protective, Arnie was the type of father, husband and grandfather who would do anything for his loved ones. His loyalty to family was unwavering. He fostered a loving environment with his boys and always made sure to communicate it by saying “Love you, be safe”. Intentionally verbalizing it, because he wanted his boys to hear and feel his love.

One of Arnie’s most cherished moments was speaking with his “two boys” every week. He loved spending time spoiling his grandchildren. He would always say that his father never got to meet his grandkids and so he was especially proud of them. He watched Micah through a monitoring application, in her preschool class as if it were a TV show, then provided updates on her day. He looked forward to spending time with Avery and Arnie Jr. every summer. He would always make sure that Avery had new shoes each school year.

Arnie is survived by his wife, Lawrencella Dukes, and his two sons, Arnold Jr. of Baltimore, MD, and Mike (Jessica) of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Avery and Micah; siblings Jane Taylor, Lynne (Alex) Lewis, Tim (Cheryl) Dukes, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Robert Dukes, his mother Evelyn Dukes and sibling, Bobby Dukes.

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