Bruce Duncan

Bruce began his earthly journey on January 20, 1912. He traveled many miles, made many friends, loved his family beyond belief, and enjoyed his work. His earthly journey ended on December 31, 2008 when Jesus took his hand and restored his sight for his unending heavenly journey. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Washington Emles and Beatrice Perodine Akers Duncan, and his wife, best friend, and companion of 63 years, Letha Poff Duncan. Also going first were his brothers and their wives, Webb and Helen Duncan, and Rush and Clyde Duncan, and sisters and their husbands, Grace and Kyle Semones, and Bertha and Earnest Shealor.
Leaving to cherish his memory are his son and wife, Billy Joe and Vicki Jo Naff Duncan; his granddaughters, Crystal (James) Lane and Loren (Todd) Robertson; grandson, Taz Phoenix; great-grandchildren, Logan and Taryn Robertson, and Kyle and Cameron Phoenix; sister-in-law, Treva Poff; and scores of nieces and nephews, four of which he thought of as his children, Maurice "Bud" Akers, Bonnie Cochran, Claude Duncan, and Toye Stebar. To also remember him is a very special and loyal friend, Effie Dalton, who read the Bible in its entirety to Bruce and shared many conversations, meals and prayers with him in his last years.
Bruce was a 32 Degree Mason, oldest member and Past Master of McDaniel Lodge #86, and Past High Priest of Taylor Royal Arch Chapter #70. He was also a member of the Blacksburg Commandery, the Scottish Rite of Roanoke, and a proud Shriner of Kazim Temple in Roanoke. He worked hard to be a good Mason and contributed his long life and sound mind to Masonic teachings.
Bruce loved his family and would sit and talk about them for hours, vividly sharing memories of close and distant relatives. He was a farmboy, and would tell of plowing the fields and hoeing the crops. His family raised turkeys, and Bruce would tell of making the two-day round trip from Floyd to Cambria by mule and wagon to transport the turkeys to market. He talked about when he and other boys would saw and chop wood, and have a fire built in the woodstove each morning before school. He told of operating a sawmill, and each time the sawmill would move a moonshine still would move in behind to burn the slabs. Bruce then worked for a contractor in Floyd until the beginning of World War II, when he was hired as a steamfitter at the Radford Arsenal. When his job was terminated at the end of the war, he did plumbing and heating in Christiansburg. He was recalled to the Arsenal in the early 50's, and would retire from there in 1974. He was an avid old engine collector and loved to restore them until he lost his sight, but loved to hear them run and enjoyed engine and tractor shows.
Bruce was a proud member of Christiansburg Pentecostal Holiness Church (now Harbor of Hope) for many years. He enjoyed helping make apple butter with the members, which reminded him of life as a boy at home. He and wife Letha loved listening to gospel music, and many times opened their home for fellowship, meals, and lodging to visiting gospel singing groups such as the Hopper Brothers and Connie.
The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the nurses, staff and employees of the Radford Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for the loving care and attention given to him during his stay.
Flowers are appreciated, but contributions in his memory can be sent to Shriner Crippled Children's Hospital, c/o Kazim Temple, 628 Campbell Avenue NW, Roanoke, VA 24016. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Saturday evening at the Horne Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2009, in the Horne Funeral Chapel, conducted by Pastor Richard Kingrea. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites conducted by McDaniel Lodge # 86 A.F. & A.M. The Duncan family is being served by Horne Funeral Service. On line condolences may be sent by visiting www.hornefuneralservice.com.