Jack Henry Duncan |
| Posted 2024-12-01 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News Herald from Nov. 23 to Nov. 24, 2024 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Master Chief Gunners Mate Jack Henry Duncan went on his last patrol around dawn on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. He was 99. Born in Missouri on June 26, 1925, his family moved west during the Great Depression. The youngest of two children, Jack was raised in California's Central Valley, ultimately settling in Bakersfield. At age 17, upon graduating high school, Jack answered his nation's call by enlisting in the United States Navy. He would serve a total of 43 years. During WWII, Jack was assigned to PT Boat Squadron 5 seeing heavy combat in the South Pacific. During the Korean War, he served aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. He was later recalled to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam. In the post-Vietnam era he served as Executive Officer of the PTF-26 and as Reserve Command Master Chief attached to Naval Special Warfare Group One. Jack earned a bachelor's degree in Geography from Fresno State University and punctuated his Naval service with several short-term careers as a public servant in San Diego. He was an avid small arms enthusiast remaining active in the shooting sports into his 90s as a coach and NRA Training Counselor. In 1998, he and his wife, Marlene, retired to Lake Havasu City where they continued in the shooting sports. One of his proudest undertakings was in his volunteer work with the Joe Foss Institute, inspiring patriotism to youth groups. Jack was known to be a brilliant man, a skilled writer and communicator, and a servant leader throughout his lifetime. Jack was predeceased by his parents Henry Francis Frank Duncan and Opal (Hughes) Duncan, and his sister Dorothy Ann Duncan. He is survived by his wife Marlene (Wolff) Duncan; daughter Jill Duncan (Robert Curzon) of Bend, Oregon; son Jeff Duncan (Laura) of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, and two grandchildren, Zack Duncan and Skyla Duncan of Signal Mountain. A memorial service is being planned for later this year in Lake Havasu City. In lieu of flowers, all are invited to donate to Jacks favorite charity, Save the PT Boat at www.savetheptboatinc.com. |
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