Robert Gaylan Duncan, 82, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2016. The youngest of eight, Gaylan was born in Tivoli, Texas on January 19, 1934 to the late Joseph Wesley Duncan and Mamie Mae Bissett Duncan.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ella Marie Wepreck Duncan; his daughters, Gail Ann Duncan Janecka (Russell) and Mary Catherine Duncan Joy (Scott), of Victoria; sister, Mary Nell Richter of San Antonio; grandchildren, Robert James Janecka (Sarah), Julie Marie Janecka, Kevin Charles Janecka, and Megan Duncan Joy; and great-grandson, Elliott Han Janecka.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lawrence Duncan, Maldon Duncan, and Wayne Duncan; sisters, Laura Custer, Dell Parks, and Darlene Ewing; and grandson, Michael Scott Joy, who passed away in 2001.
Gaylan was raised in Tivoli, graduating from Austwell-Tivoli High School and then attending Victoria College. At the age of 17, he started working for McCabe Carruth Funeral Home in Victoria, which marked the beginning of his lifelong career of over fifty-five years serving others through the funeral service profession.
Gaylan was an honor graduate from the Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science in Houston and a graduate of the National Foundation of Funeral School of Management in Evanston, Illinois. During the Korean Conflict, Gaylan was called to serve in the U.S. Army Personnel Division, Field Artillery.
In 1958, Gaylan and Ella Marie were married in Victoria, and then moved with their young family to Houston in 1962. There, Gaylan was first employed at Heights Funeral Home and later served as manager of Waltrip Funeral Directors.
In 1968 Gaylan returned to Victoria to build Colonial Funeral Home—the first building in Victoria’s history to be designated for funeral service at the time of its construction. Doors opened in 1969, and over the following years Gaylan expanded his area of service to various parts of Texas, at one point owning and operating 29 funeral homes and 3 cemeteries. At the age of 81, Mr. Duncan officially retired from his profession.
Gaylan participated wholeheartedly in scores of civic, religious, and fraternal organizations throughout his lifetime, always striving to “give back” and do his part. When asked to contribute a quote about the key to contentment and happiness, Mr. Duncan wrote, “My hope is what I do on this good earth will also account for where I have the opportunity to spend my eternity, while at the same time making others feel good as well.”
Gaylan was an active parishioner and longtime board member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Victoria, having played an instrumental part in the founding of the parish. Gaylan was appointed to the Knights of St. Gregory by Pope John Paul II. He participated in active leadership roles in the Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree Knights, having been honored to serve as the charter Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus Council 9088. He was a member of Serra Club International for over 47 years. Prior to joining Holy Family, he had been an active parishioner at both St. Mary’s and Our Lady of Victory Catholic churches.
Gaylan was an enthusiastic member of Rotary International, have been named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was Past-President of three individual Rotary Clubs, Past-District Governor for Rotary, and achieved over 50 years of perfect attendance. In addition, he was named a Life Member of Optimist International.
Other community leadership highlights included first male President of the Nazareth Academy PTA, President of the St. Joseph High School Fathers Club, recognition as Outstanding Citizen of the Year for Victoria in 1991, President of the Victoria Civilian Police Academy, President of the Board for the Victoria Senior Citizens Association, Chairman of the Victoria County United Way, member of the Victoria Planning Commission, and Chairman of the Board for the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
Gaylan was President of the South Texas Funeral Association, President of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, Commissioner of the Texas State Funeral Service Commission, District Governor for the National Funeral Directors Association, and Chairman of the Advisory Board for Curriculum at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston. In l984-1985, he was honored with the distinction of Outstanding Funeral Director of the Year by TFDA.
Evident in the life of Gaylan Duncan was his dedication to faith, family, and friends, and his commitment to serve others before self. His magnanimous presence and generous spirit will indeed be missed by all.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Colonial Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am on Friday, November 18, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church with Bishop Emeritus David E. Fellhauer officiating. A private family burial will follow later in the day at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Janecka, Kevin Janecka, Russell Janecka, Scott Joy, Justin Wallace, Jerry Runnels, Jim Davidson, and Bill Binford.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of South Texas or the Michael Joy Scholarship Fund.
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