Wesley "Duncan" McRae Jr.

Wesley "Duncan" McRae Jr. died at his home in Leesburg, Florida on Monday, February 23, 2026. He was 77.

He cherished his family and friends immensely and always wanted them to know they are loved.

Born March 7, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama, Duncan moved to Groveland, Florida as a young child. He was active in sports, band, and enjoyed fishing and close-knit family gatherings on Bluff Lake. He graduated from Groveland High School in 1966 and served four years in the U.S. Navy, joining the buddy system with childhood friend, Danny Michele.

After graduating in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in education from Florida Technological University (now known as University of Central Florida) in Orlando, Duncan began teaching physical education at St. Charles Catholic School in Winter Park, Florida, before moving to Sarasota, Florida in 1979, where he was a physical education instructor at Brentwood Elementary School for over 30 years. Often called "Wes" by his peers, he retired from teaching in 2011 to devote time as a caregiver to his first wife, Barbara McRae, before she died in 2018.

Duncan was also preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Katherine "Dolly" McRae of Groveland. FL; a sister Paula Stegall of Lady Lake, FL, sister-in-law Cindi McRae, of Leesburg, and brother-in-law Mike Stegall of Lady Lake, FL.

Duncan is survived by his wife, Theresa McRae of Leesburg, FL; brother Timothy (Marilyn) McRae of Leesburg, FL., bonus daughters Maria Campbell, Julia Piwowarski, and Emily Gartner; niece Jenny Cote and husband David of Fruitland Park, FL; niece Holly Dickerson, and husband Judd of Lady Lake, FL, nephew Adam McRae and wife Taylor of Ormond Beach, FL; grandniece Eden McRae, and grandnephews Christopher Cote, Gavin Dickerson and Landon Dickerson.

A celebration of Duncan's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Leesburg followed by a reception at the church's fellowship hall.

Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.