Theophlis "Ted" Duckett

The halls of Loy Norrix High School are quieter as the community mourns the loss of Theophlis "Ted" Duckett, a legendary educator and coach, who passed away on January 8, 2026, at 79 years old.

Coach Duckett was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation from high school, he proudly attended Western Michigan University, and it was there that he became a distinguished member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. After earning his degree in education, he began what would become his over five decade teaching and coaching career at Loy Norrix High School, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Coach Duckett spent over 55 years shaping the lives of students both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. Points mattered, but principles mattered more, and to the Loy Norrix community, he wasn't just a teacher/coach, he was a mentor, father figure, and the living embodiment of a "Knight".

His legacy is carried on by his wife Diana, sisters Joyce, Geraldine, and Deborah(Bruce), sister-in-law Joann, brother Theodore(Vickie), sons Toney, Tico (AmyJo) & Todd Jeffrey (Sara), 12 grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, thousands of students, and the entire Loy Norrix Knight community that he served.

A celebration of Coach Duckett's life will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026, in the auditorium of Loy Norrix High School, 606 E Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001. Doors open at 10:30am and the Celebration of Life will promptly begin at 11:00am.

Flowers for the Celebration of Life may be delivered to Loy Norrix High School, on Friday, February 13, 2026, during school hours.

For those wishing to further honor the legacy Ted left at Loy Norrix, your charitable gift of remembrance may be made to the LNHS Donation Portal via Kalamazoo.revtrak.net.

Arrangements Entrusted to: Whitley Memorial Funeral Home, Kalamazoo, MI. (269) 488-2401.