Charles Edward Dukes, Jr., 91, of Columbia, died Friday, June 27, 2014. Born in Sumter, SC on August 16, 1922, he was a son of the late Charles Edward Dukes, Sr. and Irene Hamilton Dukes. He was a US Navy veteran having served on board the USS Hornet during WWII as an aviation ordinanceman, and received a Presidential Unit Citation Award. Following his proud service to his country he went on to become Owner and President of Cool Temp Awning Inc., where he was affectionately known to many as "Mr. Cool", and was a member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia "Pat" Hutto Dukes; sons, Ed (Rose) Dukes of Columbia, Paul Dukes of Columbia; a daughter, Rebecca Dukes (Keith) Huggins of Columbia; a sister, Barbara Grant of Daniel Island, SC; grandchildren, Taylor Dukes, Paul Huggins, Jr., and Austin Dukes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Francis Zoble.

The funeral service for Mr. Dukes will be held 2 o'clock, Tuesday, July 1st at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, with The Rev. Dr. Ellen Skidmore officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Monday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, SC Chapter, 3223 Sunset Blvd., Suite 100, West Columbia, SC 29169.