Van Gary Duncan

August 31, 2015

Van Gary Duncan went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 26, 2015. He left this earth peacefully and entered the Gates of Heaven at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on July 9, 1941 in Gilbertsville, KY. He moved with his family to Pensacola, FL at the age of 11. He played football at Tate High School and graduated there in 1959. In 1960 he joined the United States Navy. During his Navy career, he earned many awards and medals. He received a Navy Commendation Medal from the Secretary of the Navy for his heroism in rescuing five shipmates from berthing compartments flooded with carbon dioxide gas on board the USS Mattabesset on July 17, 1968. He retired a Senior Chief from the Navy in 1980. He then worked Civil Service in Groton, CT for 10 years as supervisor of ship building. In 1992, he transferred to Pensacola, FL and worked 13 years at NAS, retiring in 2003.

He enjoyed fishing, boating and taking care of his yard. His yard was always immaculate. He was also a master woodworker who could build anything. He was a member of Three Rivers Church in Seminole, AL. He loved God, his church, church family, and pastor. In 1989,  he married Joan, the love of his life. He spent the rest of his life loving and taking care of his precious wife and children. He was a family man and always enjoyed being with family and telling old stories. He also adored his little dog “Scout”. They were pretty much inseparable. He always had a smile and his laughter was contagious.  He was loving, kindhearted and his integrity was beyond measure. If you knew him, you couldn’t help but love him.

He is preceded in death by his father, Van Hubert Duncan; his mother, Ruby Alice Leonard; and his sister, Donna Gail Duncan.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Duncan; four children, Gerald (Karen) Campbell, Phyllis (Jeff) Craft, Bill (Karen) Campbell, and Steven (Shellie) Campbell; one brother, Cecil (Nancy) Duncan; two brothers-in-law, Donald McCrory and Benny McCrory; sister-in-law, Bonifay Stacey; six grandchildren; one great grandchild; one niece and one nephew; and many other friends and loved ones.

We would like to give special thanks to Gentiva Hospice and special friend, Hazel Byrd, for making his last days comfortable.

Anchors Aweigh, “Papa Honey”, we wish you fair winds and following seas.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2015 with Pastor Dan Lowery officiating. Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at 8:30 a.m. prior to services.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries