Montie Duncan

Montie Wayne Duncan, 65, of Searcy, died Feb. 23. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Marla Wilson Duncan, and his only child, Lance Heath Duncan of Jacksonville. Mr. Duncan was born Jan. 8, 1947, the youngest of three children, toVernon W. and Wyndelene Duncan. The family has deep roots in Searcy, having operated Duncan's Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep (originally V.W. Duncan Used Cars) for 60 years, until it sold in 2005. At Searcy High School, he was a talented athlete at track and football. He received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, but chose to pursue a career in business instead. After graduating with a business degree from the University of Arkansas, where he pledged the Sigma Nu fraternity, Mr. Duncan worked as an executive recruiter in Memphis before returning to Searcy to join the growing family automotive dealership. He was a successful businessman with many professional passions, from buying and selling cars to investing in real estate and trading stocks and bonds. His best friend, Glen Norman, said he was born with the sales gene, and his loyalty and attention to service turned customers into lifelong friends. On May 25, 1990, he married the former Marla Wilson and they were inseparable, traveling together, visiting other countries, and enthusiastically following every season of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Marla says her husband's courage and positive outlook never flagged, despite extensive cancer treatment that included a full donor stem cell transplant at Baylor University Medical Center in July 2011. Mr. Duncan was a devoted father to his only child, Lance, now 33. The two treasured their time together, on annual trips to Destin, Fla., boating on Greer's Ferry and watching Westerns on TV. Mr. Duncan was a Baptist. Growing up, he attended West Race Baptist Church, where his late parents were longtime members. He later joined Valley Baptist Church, where he had just begun to serve as a Yoke Fellow before his cancer diagnosis in 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Duncan also is survived by two siblings, Rodger W. Duncan (and wife Barbara), and Barbara Duncan Wilson (and husband Jim); nieces Shay Raycher (Mike) and Nicole Slough (T.J.), both of Conway; Lana Clark of Searcy; Valerie Canepa of Searcy; and a nephew, Will Duncan (Cindy) of Missoula, Mont. He was beloved by many, including his lifelong business partner Glen Norman (Mary Jean) of Searcy and his in-laws, Mark (Sheila) Wilson and Marilyn (Doug) Bolton. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Valley Baptist Church, 3328 Highway 36 West, Searcy, followed by a fellowship reception at the church. Burial at Honey Hill Cemetery will be private. Pallbearers are: Glen Norman, Buzz Bolding, Randy Mathis, Jim Wilson, Eddie Warrington and John Ellis. Honorary pallbearers are: Danny George, Dean Hackworth, Joe Pitts and Leon Person. Memorials may be made to the Valley Baptist Church Building Fund, 3328 Highway 36 West, Searcy AR 72143.

Montie Duncan

January 8, 1947 - February 23, 2012