Clifford R. "Duke" Ellington

Saturday, September 5, 2009, the world lost a very good man, Clifford R. Ellington. Most people knew him as Duke. He died of complications of heart problems. Born August 12, 1928, Duke lived in Des Moines most of his life and graduated from East High School. Soon after he joined the Army and later the CB’s and was stationed on Guam.
He was a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 for over 50 years. He retired in 1985 after his first heart surgery. Duke was a member of the Shriners and played snare drum in the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Pipe Band until approximately 1985. In 1961, he married Jeanette M. Zimmerman of Urbandale. Together they had a son, Corby Ray who died shortly after his birth.
Duke worked for several mechanical contractors in the Des Moines area and was a Superintendent on many jobs including; the Wallace Building and the Financial Center to name a few. He was a member of several organizations in Des Moines. Duke and Jeanette owned a cabin in Missouri where he loved to fish and have a good time with his friends. He especially enjoyed traveling with the United Life Insurance Company and making friends with all of the agents and their families.
Duke was involved with the cooking competition at the Iowa State Fair up until three years ago, and continued to sponsor some of the pie competitions. He was very proud of his Blue Ribbons. He usually won a Blue Ribbon for his Carrot Cake, Coconut Cream Pie and his Velvetta Cheese Fudge.
Duke is survived by his wife, Jeanette; sister, Sandra; sisters-in-law, Katie (Jack) Stewart and Norma (Terry) Youngbear; brother-in-law, Richard (Terri) Zimmerman; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mame and Charles Ellington; son, Corby Ray; his brother, Corby Ellington who was killed in WWII while with General Patton in Africa; and his in-laws, Mae and Dick Zimmerman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon St. with burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation or Hospice of Central Iowa.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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