Hershael Duncan

1939 - 2018

Herschel Mills Duncan
1939-2018
Herschel Mills Duncan, a native Houstonian, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2018. He was larger than life, in both personality and stature, and his absence will be felt deeply.
Mills leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Charlotte Duncan, and the mother of his first three children, Josephine Duncan, his daughter Linnie Duncan Lawton and husband Fred F. Lawton, son Herschel Mills Duncan IV and wife Carolyn, son Andrew Braxton Duncan and wife Shannon, son Cullen Marshall Duncan and wife Madison, grandchildren, Fred F. Lawton Jr., Duncan A. Lawton, Blocker Duncan, Lawton C. Duncan, Herschel Mills Duncan V, C. Riggs Duncan, and baby Charlotte Duncan, brother Kent Duncan and wife Barbara, Deborah "Debi" Shoemaker, and Rodney Duncan and wife Kay, half siblings William "Bill" Duncan, Lindsey Duncan and Clinton Duncan. Mills is preceded in death by his parents Herschel Mills Duncan Jr. and Louise Marshall Duncan. He was the grandson of Herschel Mills Duncan Sr., who founded Maryland Club Coffee also known as Duncan Coffee Company. Mills was proud to have the Duncan Coffee legacy carried on by his oldest son, H. Mills Duncan IV. He was also proud of his daughter Linnie, who with her husband are owners of a successful Houston Land Surveying Company, and his two sons Andrew and Cullen, Sergeants with the Houston Police Department, who sacrifice and put their lives on the line daily.
Mills was born in Houston, Texas in 1939. He attended Kincaid School, graduated from Lamar High School, and attended The University of Texas, before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mills was proud to serve his country in Company C, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, from 1962 to 1967. He went on to have a successful career as a Commercial Real Estate Broker from February 22, 1965 to 2018. Mills met his wife Charlotte on August 4, 1978 and they have scarcely spent a day apart since, working and recreating together along with raising a family.
Mills had a brilliant and creative mind and was the driving force behind and involved in every detail of the foundation of the non-profit Texas Licensed Child Placing Agency, Adoption Information and Counseling Services Inc, in 1981, which is also known as AdopTexas. In an effort to make sure the agency carried on, he made sure the agency had received its non-profit 501 ( c ) 3 status. He and his wife have passionately seen to the placement of hundreds of precious babies with loving adoptive families. Taking pride that each person in the adoption triangle knew that they were cared for personally and were considered family. Mills continued to serve as President of the agency's non-profit board until his death.
An avid outdoorsman, Mills was active and instrumental in the formative years of the GCCA and an avid redfish conservationist. He was a man known for his humor and made new friends wherever he went. He enjoyed shooting skeet whenever he had the opportunity. He had many life-long friends and was blessed to have his childhood friend, Stanley Wren by his side throughout his final days, until the very end, which was a comfort to Mills as well as the entire family.
Mills had a faith in God and expressed his love for Jesus. He knew he was not a perfect man and was thankful he had a Savior.
Close family and friends will celebrate Mills' life in a private memorial service on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. In lieu of flowers and in order to carry on the legacy and ministry he and his wife Charlotte began, and have nurtured and loved for 37 years, the family respectfully requests donations be made to Adoption Information and Counseling Services Inc. a 501 ( C ) 3 non-profit organization. Donations should be mailed to: (Adoption Information & Counseling Services Inc. 6802 Mapleridge #101, Bellaire, Texas, 77401), www.adoptexas.com. Phone number: 713-529-5125. Condolences may be offered at www.millerfuneral.com