Earthol Duncan Jr.

Earthol Duncan Jr., 86, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at MercyOne in Des Moines. A memorial visitation will be held at Hendersons Funeral & Cremation Care on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Immediately following visitation, his memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Robin Duncan and Dr. Joshua Duncan officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Earthol Jr. was born on Tuesday, June 21, 1938, in Des Moines, IA. He was the third child of Earthol Sr. and Marie (Robinson) Duncan. He was educated in the Des Moines Public Schools, where he last attended North High School. In March 1959, Earthol Jr. enlisted in the Armed Forces, serving as a Private in the Marine Corps, and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. While serving, he earned a Good Conduct Medal.

Upon his return to civilian life, he served as a general utility worker at Jester State Park near Polk City, IA. On September 24, 1964, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Roman. The couple resided in Des Moines, IA. Earthol Jr. legally adopted Darrell, Anita, and Robin shortly after marriage. From their union came Chico N. Duncan and Terri D. Duncan (who both preceded him in death). Earthol Jr. later became a press operator at Meredith Printing and Publishing, where he retired in the summer of 2003. His favorite pastimes were spending time with family and friends. Coming from a large family of 14, there was never a dull moment. Perhaps when he thought no one was paying attention, he would begin singing random songs of the time, and he delivered such melodies with his “bigger than life” baritone voice. He was also a collector of pipes, and you might as well leave the area when football or basketball was on, as the television may or may not have undergone some verbal abuse, especially if his teams were losing.

Left to cherish his loving memory are his life partner, Jaqueline B. Bruce of Des Moines, IA; children Mark W. Duncan of Aurora, CO; Darrell (Shirley) Duncan of Kent, WA, Anita Duncan of Seattle, WA, and Robin (Linda) Duncan of Sioux Falls, SD. His bonus children, Roxanne (Gary) Green of Las Vegas, NV, Carmen Hayes, and Valerie Brazil, both of Las Vegas, NV. He also leaves 24 grandchildren, approximately 63 great-grandchildren, and 17+ great-great-grandchildren. Siblings include Chiquita Lee of Fairfield, CA; Quintheta Lowrey of Baltimore, Maryland; James (Barbara) Duncan of Houston, TX; Malvin Duncan of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Clyde (Juanita) Duncan of Houston,TX; Synthia Humphrey of Angier, North Carolina; Lolita Duncan of Fort Oglethorpe, GA, Rosita (Warren Robertson of Chattanooga, TN, and Ricardo Duncan of Atlantic, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earthol Sr. and Marie Duncan, daughter Terri D. Duncan, son Chico N. Duncan, and son Timothy Duncan; grandsons LeRoy Benton and Derrick D. Duncan; and siblings Jonathon Duncan, Marcelline Anderson, Omar Duncan, and Sequoia Miller.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Dr. Robin Duncan or Darrell Duncan in Earthol's name.