Kenneth "Duke" White

Kenneth Lee White was born to parents who met working on the Alcan Highway during WWII: Kenny, a heavy equipment operator, and Max, a cook from Canada. From there his parents moved to Scobey, Montana, for a WPA job building the Fort Peck Dam. Brother Al was born first, and “Duke” came second on March 14, 1945. From there the White family moved to Washington State and settled in the Burien area. Sister Candy, along with Duke and Al, enjoyed a wonderful childhood there. All graduated from Highline High School.

Duke found an interest in body building and martial arts. He trained under Bruce Lee's mentor and Duke always treasured a picture taken of him having dinner with Bruce Lee in Seattle's Chinatown. He spent time at Burnley School of Art and Design (later Seattle Art Institute) but the schooling that shaped him most profoundly was Lutheran Bible Institute. Once he became a Christian, after watching Billy Graham on television late one night, he devoured God's Word and found fellowship at Glendale Lutheran Church.

Duke met Karen Royce in the early 1980's. On Karen's 40th birthday, October 7, 1987, they were married.

Duke had his hand in many jobs as a younger man, but he used his artistic talents to do home remodeling. Here he found his calling; he had a knack for creating beautiful spaces. In their 39years together, Duke and Karen remodeled three of their houses and also built one. Most of the work was done by him—from framing, to roofing, to cabinet making. After Karen retired, they purchased a home in Enumclaw, spent two years remodeling it, and put down roots for 25years. Duke was always very quick to say, “There's only one thing wrong with Enumclaw. We didn't move here sooner.”

Duke died very suddenly at home on October 15, 2026. He is no longer tethered to these
earthly bounds but is now praising God in Heaven who blesses him with,
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”