Alvin Austin LeDuke, III

Mr. Alvin Austin LeDuke, III, 58, of Biloxi, MS, died Sunday, April 22, 2007 in Ocean Springs. Mr. LeDuke was a native and lifelong resident of Biloxi. He was a 1966 graduate of Biloxi High School where he was a member of the "Pride of Biloxi" Marching Band and a graduate of the Perkinston Campus of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Jr. College where he was the campus photographer. He was manager of in-house printing for Blossman, Inc. After loosing his sight he worked for Royal Maid then for Knight Abbey Printing. Mr. LeDuke was chosen as the blind employee of the year going to Washington, D.C. and being recognized by President George W. Bush, Sr. In the year 2000 he carried the Olympic Torch. He held membership in the Biloxi Lions Club, where he served as president for the year 2005, and the Biloxi Elks Lodge #606. He worked with the Lions Club Sea and Sun Camp for Blind and Visually Impared Children, where he was a member of the Kitchen Crew. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Biloxi Counsel #1244 for many years and held membership in the Les Pierrots, Les Badineurs and Krewe of Neptune Mardi Gras Organizations. Mr. LeDuke served as Neptune King of Mardi Gras for the year 2003. He was a member of Nativity Parish and served as an Eucharistic Minister and member of the Parish Council. He was also secretary of the Parish Life Team. Mr. LeDuke was preceded in death by his father, A. A. LeDuke, Jr and his faithful guide dog, Freedom. Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Sue Parker LeDuke, of Biloxi; two daughters, Susan Marie Grace and her husband, Andrew, of St. Louis, MO, and Elizabeth Ann Ramirez and her husband, Kai, of West Monroe, LA; two sons, Rusty Wright and his wife, JoAnna, of Patterson, LA, and William Wright of West Monroe, LA; his mother, Miriam LeDuke of Biloxi; three sisters, Celeste LeDuke of Portland, OR, Susan Taconi of Biloxi and Lucy Lawson and her husband, Jeff, of D'Iberville; six grandsons, Brandon, "Tweet", James Austin, Jackson, Ryan and Abel; two granddaughters who were the lights in his eyes, Yasmine and Abbegail; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A very special man came into our lives and enriched us all with his quick wit, his fantastic smile and his zest for life. He fought the good fight in spite of the many obstacles that were thrown in his way. He has made the journey home and we are all the poorer for his absence. He has chartered a new course and will meet us on our journey's end. Visitation is Tuesday, April 24, 2007, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi with Rosary at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Cathedral where friends may visit one hour before service time. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Biloxi Lions Club, Sea and Sun Camp, P. O. Box 196, Biloxi, MS 39533 or to Sacred Heart Center Building Fund, c/o Nativity Parish, 870 Howard Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530.