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Lonnie Ernest Duncan Jr.

Lonnie Ernest Duncan Jr. obituary

Lonnie Duncan Obituary

November 25, 1929 - March 31, 2014 Lonnie Ernest Duncan, Jr., was born November 25, 1929, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Lonnie Ernest and Nettie Mae (Smith) Duncan. He passed away Monday, March 31, 2014, in Fullerton, California, following a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Duncan was a man of many names. "Junior", as he was known as a young boy, spent his early years in the Midwest. When he was a teenager, "Ernie" and his family moved to California where he finished high school. To those who knew Mr. Duncan he will be remembered as a kind, gentle and compassionate man who was generous and sensitive to others. He was a man of integrity and earnest in all things. A man of humble beginnings, Ernie learned the value of hard work. As a young man he went to work for the Los Angeles Times as a pressman. He would work during the night printing the paper, and, during the day, he and a partner began acquiring and renting construction equipment. As the rental business grew, Ernie was able to leave the LA Times. He eventually bought out his partner and continued to grow the business into a considerable empire in Southern California. In 1998, "Mr. D", as he was affectionately known by so many, sold ADCO Equipment to United Rentals and began new ventures in his retirement. While he enjoyed all sports, he especially liked to golf and ski-both water and snow skiing. He was a member of the Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, and he won the MacGregor Tournament in 1997. He was also the successful owner of a Sprint car in the late 60's. His love of fishing led him to purchase the Katmai Lodge along the Alagnak River in Alaska's prime king salmon fishing region. He also enjoyed traveling and has traveled all over the world. He was a Distinguished Member of the International Society of Tastemasters and a supporter of Childhelp USA. On February 23, 2013, Lonnie joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This decision brought him a great deal of joy and happiness. The crowning event of his spiritual journey occurred on March 1, 2014, when he and his wife, Kimberlee, were sealed for time and all eternity in the Newport Beach California Temple. While Mr. Duncan was blessed with success in many ways, his greatest treasure of all was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Kimberlee; daughters, Teena Duncan and Susan Duncan; sons, John (Candace) Packard, Steven (Elaine) Packard, and Craig (Linda) Packard; sisters, Dimple McCullough and Sharon (Bud) Harper; many wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his long-time professional staff, Carol Packard, Willie Rocha, Maria Foster, and Siggie Johnson, who he also dearly loved. He was pre-deceased by his wife of many years and the mother of his children, Dolores Duncan. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made, in his name, to St. Jude Memorial Foundation, 101 E. Valencia Mesa Dr., Fullerton, Ca 92835. A service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2014, 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15265 Mulberry Drive, Whittier, CA. Interment will follow at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, CA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Apr. 3, 2014.

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Ernie's fishing hole

Glen Hornsby

October 18, 2018

There are so many wonderful things to say about Mr. Ernie Duncan.
He exuded so many great qualities.
He was truly someone that I quickly admired, respected and he was always a shining example of what true compassion for his fellow man meant.
Although Ernie lived a life of privilege and wealth, he never forgot how he got there. He carried himself as a common man with only the best intentions and desires for those he called family, friend, employee or stranger.
I ran the kitchen for Ernie at his beloved Katmai Lodge.
It was his desire to have me in his employ for many seasons. From the experience I gained at Katmai Lodge I have grown as a chef and as a man. For this, I'm extremely grateful to him.
He was always kind, gave great advice, treated me as an equal not an employee, as a friend.
I will always be grateful to Ernie for all the wonderful memories I carry in my heart and my head. He still holds the honor of being my favorite "boss " ( his nickname at Katmai!) And Katmai Lodge is to this day still in my heart for all the great memories I hold dear.
I was a fan of Ernie and I believe he was a fan of mine.
My favorite memory was every Summer when he would arrive with his wonderful wife Kimberlee. They would come into the dining room arm in arm and he would flash that 100,000 watt smile at me with that twinkle in his eyes. He would give me a firm handshake and tell me he appreciated me and was happy to see me. He meant it and it felt so great to have someone say that to me because he truly cared, he cared about everyone that was even the smallest part of a huge life. He worked for and earned his life of privilege but he never let that cloud his judgment or his values. He was and still is a man I respect, have faith in and believe that I was privileged to know in my lifetime.
Glen Hornsby Katmai Lodge chef 2005-2014.

December 20, 2014

Holidays are joyful....family gathers together and celebrate the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ. Our faith in Him brings hope through the Plan of Salvation. We are thinking of Ernie and Kimberlee...their love, their eternal covenants in the temple, their faith in Christ and their wonderful example of charity. This Christmas you are just a veil away.... and in our hearts forever! We are sharing the burden of sorrow in losing you in our mortal life KNOWING with unshakable faith that we will be reunited again.
Kimberlee, Jeanne and I were just thinking about you and what a wonderful man Ernie was. Thank you again for the gift of one of his scarfs. I will cherish it always and think of the two of you every time I wear it.

Merry Christmas...you're with us forever!

Love Marty and Jeanne Martin
December 20, 2014

November 26, 2014

Thinking of you today, Mr. D! We miss you here on earth, but know you are in paradise without pain and only peace and happiness. The love you and Kimberlee shared was an inspiration. LOVE - Katie Flores, St. Jude Memorial Foundation

Wendy Postil

November 26, 2014

It was with delight that I saw Kim transformed upon her marriage to Ernie... She had Finally found the happiness she so deserved! What a blessing they were to each other for the few years they were together. I'll never forget Ernie!
With love,
Wendy Arrington Postil

Dodie & Michael

November 25, 2014

Happy Birthday Ernie,
You are forever our BFF and are missed and remembered with love and Thanksgiving.
Rest in Peace.

Matthew Plaisted

June 26, 2014

It is with great sadness that I write this reflection about Mr. Duncan. I often worked with Mr. and Mrs Duncan during their many visits to The Home Depot of La Habra. Mr. Duncan never once demonstrated that he was fighting cancer. To the contrary, he would come into the store filled with joy and enthusiasm, always excited about the progress he and Mrs. Duncan were making with the remodel of their home. Often times, our conversations led to fishing in Alaska, or his love of golf.
I will always remember Mr. Duncan as a kind and generous soul, with a faith-filled smile and a joyful wink in his eye. Rest in Peace, Mr. Duncan.

Respectfully,

Matt Plaisted
The Home Depot of La Habra

Jim Morin

May 2, 2014

It's been an honor for me to have known Ernie these past few years. Always a gentleman, Ernie was a good example to those around him. His hope and faith in Jesus Christ was unquestionable. Ernie is one of those people who I'm certainly looking forward to seeing when I make it to the other side. You'll be missed, Ernie, but fortunately it will only be for a short while, my friend!

Jeanne Martin

April 25, 2014

I was privileged to meet Ernie January 2014. His smile said it all...he loved life, he loved his dear wife, he had great faith and I was privileged to learn and grow together with him and Kimberlee as we shared a desire to learn and progress. We shared our testimony and love of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I saw miracles happen as he was given strength to make sacred covenants that will bless his life throughout all eternity. I have been blessed to know you and will remember your gentle, kind and regal spirit! You will be remembered by many, those who knew you for years and others like me, who got a glimpse of your eternal nature.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Martin

April 16, 2014

When I started working at the LA Times back in '62 I met Ernie.He was one nice person always saying hello with a smile.
E.Jaime

Matt Larson

April 14, 2014

It is with a strange mix of feelings that I heard of the passing of Lonnie Duncan.

Sad, of course, for his family and all those he left behind. A man that big, leaves a big hole. But also, selfishly, a little bit of joy in that I was privileged enough to meet and, to a small degree, to know Lonnie.

I got to know Lonnie over the last 4 or 5 years of his life, and as such, I missed out on knowing him in any other context. However, within the circumstances that I DID know him he showed himself to be an extraordinarily gracious man - always demonstrating more concern for those around him than for himself - whether they be family, or, like me, just someone he meets.

A man can have many personal goals in life - to be a good husband, a good son, a good neighbor. Lonnie was the rarest of all, he was a good stranger. And, because of that, in no time at all, he was no longer a stranger but a fully formed man of elegance and class.

Thank you, Mr. Duncan, for allowing me the opportunity to know you. Godspeed. sir.

Matt Larson

Mark Pennington

April 9, 2014

I came to know Mr. Duncan at St. Jude where he was receiving treatment. He epitomized what a gentleman is and should be. It was truly a privilege for me to get to know him and Mrs. Duncan. May God wrap your family in His love.

April 6, 2014

Dear Kimberlee,
Charlie and I would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time.
Much Love from both us.
Rhea and Charles Hallinan

April 4, 2014

Kimberly there are no words that can properly describe the pain you are experiencing. We extend on behalf of our family our deepest condolences for your loss of Lonnie. Please stay strong during this difficult time may God be close to you for your sorrow. Please accept our sympathy love you Nick and Maria D'Egidio.
PS: We wish to mail you a card may we have your mailing address really appreciate it.

[email protected]

My wife is Nicolina De Luca sister and I am Nick D'Egidio I am with Portofino Ristorante Italiano.

Robert & Martha Chavira

April 4, 2014

Bob and I will never forget the first time we met both you and Kimberlee at a mutual friend's birthday party. We became such good friends and enjoyed our wonderful dinners and events we attended together. Ernie was a true gentleman. An elegant man who was loved and admired by many. Our lives have been forever enriched by being considered a friend. Our sincerest condolences to his beautiful wife Kimberlee, children and siblings. You will always be remembered and missed.

Michael Fowler

April 4, 2014

Being employed by Mr.Duncan for the last 25 years has given me the opportunity to see just how generous and fair minded any one could be. He will be sorely missed. Our prayer, love, and condolences to Kimberley.

David W. Streets

April 3, 2014

Mr. Duncan was a true gentleman...a gentle man. My thoughts and prayers are with Kimberlee.

Debbie Byrne

April 3, 2014

I will always remember the good times we had at the River, and what a wonderful and generous friend Ernie was to my dad Phil (Byrne). Condolences to Kimberlee.

Paul Matsumoto

April 3, 2014

For the past 30+ years we have known Mr. Duncan as a kind, gentle and generous man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Kimberlee and his entire family.

NYC Trip

Tracy Worthington

April 3, 2014

Ernie was one of the kindest men I've known. I have so many fond memories of dinners with Ernie & Kimberlee and a special trip to NYC. You will be greatly missed Ernie. My love and prayers for Kimberlee and his family

Mrs. Kimberlee Duncan

April 3, 2014

My Dear Husband Lonnie , The Love that we share will only be magnified throughout Eternity. Your bravery and courage shall light the path for others to follow ...You've shown me the Best things in Life are Not Things...I'll honor Your Legacy
Forever.....
Lovingly , your Wife Kimberlee

Dana Postil

April 2, 2014

A good and decent man.

April 2, 2014

Ernie--It was a pleasure guiding you and working for you up at Katmai Lodge. You will be dearly missed on the river by all of those that had the honor of fishing with you up in Alaska on the Alagnak. I'm sure God has a boat and a guide in His Kingdom waiting for you to show them how it is done. Tight lines my friend, you will be missed.

Mike "Globug" Maher

Mr. D - always looking fabulous! He will forever be our STAR...remembered, admired and loved by the St. Jude Memorial Foundation.

Katie Flores

April 2, 2014

April 2, 2014

A beautiful life well-lived. We will miss your friendship. Our condolences to Kimberlee, a devoted life partner, and to your children and grandchildren. Karen and Jerry Arnold

Jim Lewis

April 2, 2014

Thanks for the memories Ernie. You will be missed!

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