In Memoriam

Michael Duke Jr. remembered as earnest and full of energy

BY JUSTIN WAGNER

Contributor vendor Michael Aaron Duke Jr., age 24, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, after a brief illness. He had just moved into housing with his twin brother, Matthew.

He was born in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 15, 1998, to Michael Aaron Duke Sr., also a Contributor vendor, and Amanda Brewer. He lived most of his life in Cheatham County.

Michael had also worked in the construction industry. Michael Aaron is preceded in death by his grandmother, Dee Brewer. He is survived by his parents, Mike Duke and Amanda Brewer; grandfather, Boo Boo Brewer; daughter, Adalyn Gail Duke; brothers, Matthew Duke and Dillion Duke; sister-in-law, Evie Pernell; nephew, Dylan Duke, Jr.; and other extended family members and friends.

Contributor staff and volunteers remember Michael as having unending energy and a sweet spirit. Their memories of Michael are below:

When I first met with Michael for intake into our housing program, he had a remarkable energy to him. He had been homeless for a good while at this point, so when I assured him that we’d do the best we can, that there’s housing out there if we fight for it, that he’d have a team of people behind him — I’m sure these were all things he had heard before. It’s hard not to assume a cynical posture when there’s more people who need help than will ever get it.

But that cynicism wasn’t visible in Michael. He was earnest. He talked to you like he had known you for years. He’d joke, he’d open up, and when you had to break bad news, he’d take it in stride. I don’t think it’s fair to expect that of anyone in crisis, but to see that sort of perseverance always inspires awe. He and his brother Matthew, from whom he seemed inseparable, were inspiring in that way.

Michael died only a few weeks after he finally had a roof overhead. It was so sudden that the news seemed unbelievable. It seemed that of anyone I had known, Michael had so much left to experience.

After we moved them in, I wrote a story about him and his brother for The Contributor Michael shared a lot with me that day, but crucially, he told me that “he made it.” Passing at such a young age is beyond tragedy, but I take some solace knowing that one of Michael’s final memories were of a victory years in the making. A victory he and his brother richly deserved.

Though he endured more than many ever have to, he did so without losing who he was. With so much loss in this community lately, I pray we can all manage such resilience. As for Michael — I pray he can finally rest.

— Justin Wagner, Contributor Resource Coordinator and Reporter

Whenever I would see Michael and Matthew at the vendor office, I would always start a “have you ever” conversation with them both. Have you ever tried to fake out one of your teachers at school? Have you ever taken the blame for your brother’s actions or taken credit for his good deeds? Have you ever tried to fake out your brother’s girlfriend? Their answers would be interesting and humorous, but always supportive of each other. I think their whole life, however difficult it must have been, was somehow better because they had each other. I’ve never seen Michael without Matthew. Their bond was physically obvious as identicals, but emotionally they seemed to also be one person. Rest in Peace Michael and may God grant Brother Matthew the strength to carry on without you.

- Andy Shapiro, Contributor Volunteer