Richard “Rick” Lee Duncan, Sr.,

Richard “Rick” Lee Duncan, Sr., 77, a resident of North Fort Myers, FL since 2007, formerly of Bloomingdale, OH, passed away Sunday, June 25, 2023 in Fort Myers, FL. He was born

January 28, 1946 in Warren, OH to Benjamin and Mary Duncan, now deceased.

Rick was a Veteran of the United States Army (Vietnam Era) and Ohio National Guard. He was a devoted family man who was the epitome of our Duncan family legacy—stubborn as hell and strongly opinionated with a generally superior intellect (the shadows of the family can attest to). His sense of humor was quick and he remained sharp as a tack.

A Renaissance Man, he picked up many skills and hobbies throughout his life. In his younger years, he played saxophone and enjoyed numerous sports. Although, he seemed to take to bowling the most on account of winning state championships. He was a self-proclaimed handyman—always tinkering with cars, woodworking, fixing things around the house, or crafting costumes out of cardboard for one of the kids or grandkids.

Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army and developed a particular set of skills as a copy coder—listening to static noise and picking out Morse code embedded within it. With this, he spent two years on a mountain in Turkey intercepting Russian communications. To our knowledge, he never instigated any international incidents.

During his last two years of service, while stationed in Japan, he met the love of his life after being set up on a blind date. From that day forward Mom lovingly supported and encouraged him–“bitchin” as he would call it–for nearly 55 years. Her support never wavered (except maybe once or twice when he fell due to his stubbornness) even in their last days together. Still, she deserves to be sainted. Their marriage and subsequent family were one of his crowning achievements in life. He took extreme pride in his children, more so his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but doted lovingly on his entire family.

To his dismay, his love of pickled beets was unsuccessfully handed down to his children despite the years of forcing them to eat “at least one” every holiday meal. He was a meat and potatoes kind of guy, a connoisseur of biscuits and gravy, and never met a cheesecake with cherry topping he didn’t like. This may have lent itself to his propensity for room clearing flatulence, to which he would reply “Who farted?” or “It doesn’t smell THAT bad.” And, he took great joy playing endless games of ‘Pull My Finger’ with the family.

He wasn’t particularly religious, except when confronted with complete idiots, often letting out one of his trademark, drawn-out “Jeeesus” (those who knew him best can hear his exact tone). The depths of his patience would fade in about .02 seconds which could be seen on full display while watching one of his favorite sports teams disappoint him. Dad was a lifelong Ohio State, Cleveland Indians—not Guardians—and Browns fan. The latter two gave him the most grief. If he were being buried, he would petition to have three Indians and three Browns players as pallbearers so they could let him down one last time.

In his later years, he was likely to be found in one of two places, sitting in his recliner with his DishTV remote control (the third most important thing to survive Hurricane Ian) in hand watching sports, Spaghetti Westerns, or HGTV, or he was out on the lanai with a cup of coffee and one of his oldest and dearest friends, Winston.

It seems he took inspiration from his good friend and will meet the Great Cremator for his final departure. After which his ashes will sit patiently and wait to be reunited with his loving wife. Somewhat selfishly, their children hope that the time comes later rather than sooner.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Mitsuko Duncan of North Fort Myers; four loving children (as evidenced by the number of grandchildren they produced), Richard Duncan, Jr. of Bloomingdale, OH, Dennis Duncan (Julia) of Canal Winchester, OH, Ron Duncan (Melissa) of Safety Harbor, FL, and Michelle Long of North Fort Myers; twelve adoring (but not quite right in the head) grandchildren Mindi Navarro, Sonni Duncan, Shannon Martino, Rachel Weaver, Richard L. Duncan III, Lydia Duncan, Chelsea Duncan, Nick Duncan, Grace Duncan, Cheyenne Long, Wyatt Long, and Isabella Long; seven dear (and naive to the full extent of being a Duncan) great-grandchildren Adriana Torrance, Bella Morgan, Bentley Morgan, Eleanor Navarro, Greyson Bake, Xena Duncan, and Oliver Navarro; four (old as crap) siblings Helen Bilchek of Cape Coral, FL, Ruth Dunlap of Struthers, OH,  Ben Duncan (Evelyn) of Spring Hill, FL, and James Duncan (Diane) of Leavittsburg, OH.

Richard is preceded in death by three siblings, Sidney “Bobby” Duncan, Harold Duncan, and Maxine Holma; grandson Anthony Morgan; great-granddaughter Sophia Torrance.

Memorial Services will be held in the future, details to be announced via www.MullinsMemorial.com

Memorial Contributions in memory of Richard Lee Duncan, Sr. are suggested to The American Cancer Society, 4575 Via Royale, # 110, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.