Henry Jackson "Jack" Duncan

Henry Jackson "Jack" Duncan, 98, passed away March 1, 2016 at LifeStream Cook Division in Youngtown, Ariz. 

He was born on Jan. 10, 1918 in Kit Carson County, Colo., northeast of Burlington, Colo., to Bert Lorenzo and Dora Delilia Duncan. He was one of ten siblings, all of whom, with the exception of one sister, were born in sod houses.

He attended elementary school in Burlington, Colo. until his parents moved away from the district and could not afford tuition for him to continue his education.

He participated in the Civilian Conservation Corp from July 1934 through April 1935. He then went to Wyoming where he worked for a sawmill and later as a jack hammer high scaler on the Seminole Dan project. 

Duncan met Bertha Gradert in Saratoga, and in 1937 they married in Laramie. At the time of her death Feb. 5, 1992, they had been together for nearly 55 years. 

Jack worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Green River. In 1940, he completed his education through correspondence courses, ultimately receiving a degree as an electrician.  He continued his career with Union Pacific as an assistant electrician, fire chief, and pumper operator for his final 15 years. In May 1977 the company released him due to his hearing loss.  He held the position of secretary of the Electrical Union for 20 years and has been a member of the IBEW for 60 years.  During much of the time he spent with Union Pacific, his wife Bertha and he also owned and operated a marine and shop business. 

They were both involved with the Congregational Church in Green River.

In June 1992, Jack married Mary Beth Ralston and became a step father to her three children, Duke and wife Darlene Ralston, Richard and wife Darlina Ralston, and Jackie Sue and husband Mark Petersen; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are a son, Jackson Wayne and wife Karen Duncan of Ninilchik, Ark., grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; a daughter Faye Elizabeth Weber of Mesa, Ariz., two grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He had been an extremely active member of the Morristown Baptist Church, now called the Morristown Christian Church, in Morristown, Ariz. He served two terms as chairman for the homeowner's association of Circle City, Ariz., instigated the plan to build a community center for the Duncan Public Park, which was named in his honor, and recently donated the land upon which the Circle City Fire Department building now sits, housing the city's fire truck and ambulance. 

Memorial services honored Jack at the Morristown Christian Church March 5.

A graveside service will take place at Ft. Bridger Cemetery in Ft. Bridger June 4. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's association.

Condolences may be offered to Jack's family by visiting http://www.sunlandmemorial.com.