Ewert Ray Duncan

Ewert Ray Duncan, 97, of Pampa, passed away on November 16, 2021 at his home in Pampa.

Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, November 27, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Ken McIntosh, pastor, and Commissioned Pastor Nancy Ruff, of First Presbyterian Church in Clarendon, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Ray was born December 10, 1923 in Pampa in their home located about 1 block south of the Hughes Building. There was no hospital in Pampa at that time. His parents were Ivy Duncan and Mattie Kirk Duncan. Ray attended Pampa schools through the tenth grade but graduated from high school from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri in 1940. Staying there for his freshman year of college, he then joined his brother, Kirk Duncan, at the University of Texas in Austin, entering the Business Administration School.

A few months later the US was brought into World War II. Ray decided to join the Naval Reserve. He was sent to Midshipman School in Boston to the Navy Supply and Disbursing School and was commissioned an Ensign. Orders were to report to the USS Jenkins DD447, a destroyer in the 7th fleet serving in the South Pacific. Ray boarded the Jenkins in August 1944 in Hollandia, New Guinea. He was in charge of the S Division, which included the ship's cash, payroll records, galley, bakers, laundry, barber shop, ship's store, and obtaining all food and other supplies except ammunitions and engineering parts. The Jenkins participated in the retaking of the Philippine Islands including the battle of Leyte Gulf, Lingayat Island, Corregidor & Palawan.  During these actions, the Jenkins suffered a direct hit from an enemy shore battery killing and injuring several crew members. The Jenkins was next ordered to Borneo and provide shore bombardment for an invasion. The ship struck a mine which blew a huge hole in the hull, and the ship came within inches of sinking. The ship returned to Long Beach, California for repairs and the war ended while there. Ray was honorably discharged with the rank of Lt. J. G. He returned to UT and entered law school. After one year, he qualified for a degree in business administration and elected to return to Pampa and join his brother in the insurance business.

Ray & Hilda met on a blind date in the late summer of l949 and quickly fell in love. They married in November of 1949. Her parents were Harry and Jessie Burden. They had 3 children during their 68 years of marriage until the Lord took her 3 years ago in 2018. While Ray was dedicated to the Duncan Insurance Agency, he was also active in Pampa affairs. He was President of the Jaycees in 1957 and a member for many years. He was also a Lions Club member for over 50 years serving as VP to Rufe Jordan. While a Jaycee, the club wanted to build a recreation center for the youth of Pampa. The Pampa Youth and Community Center which we enjoy today is a result of their efforts. Ray served on the board of directors for over 30 years-most of this time as secretary. The Duncan Insurance Agency was Ray's pride and joy. They started the agency from scratch, and after Brian and Gail joined the agency along with the merger in 1995 with the Pampa Agency (Bill Bridges) and Fraser Agency, they had created one of the largest agencies in the Texas Panhandle. The agency sold and the name has been changed to Insurica. Ray helped organize the Downtown Business Association where he served as president and treasurer. He also served on the Pampa Chamber of Commerce board and the White Deer Land Museum board. Ray was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder and trustee.

Ray loved to water ski and snow ski. He was active in these sports from the 50's until he was age 78. He won numerous trophies in slalom, jumping, and tricks in the senior division in competition with the Ski Clubs of Lubbock, Amarillo, and Borger. He later took up golf and was hooked on it until his knees "said enough."

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, J. Kirk Duncan; and a son-in-law, G. Tim White.

Survivors include two daughters, Gail Woodington and husband Ben of Pampa and Wendy White of Amarillo; son, Brian Duncan and wife Linda of Montgomery; three grandsons, Chris Duncan and wife Katie of Round Rock, Jarrett Woodington and Jeffrey Woodington both of Amarillo; two granddaughters, Lisa Jones of Oklahoma City, OK and Lori Johnson and husband Brad of Amarillo; and 6 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Ray's caregivers, Jamie Carpenter, Jana Gregory, Karen Hapeman, Lettie Salazar, JoAnn Scott, Kandy Soliz, and Interim Healthcare for their loving care for Ray. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to PAWS, P.O. Box 2095, Pampa, TX 79066 or First Presbyterian Church Book of Remembrance, 525 N. Gray St., Pampa, Texas 79065.