Noah Kinlaw Duncan

Noah Kinlaw Duncan, a farm-raised business owner and proud North Carolinian who devoted his life to family and community service, died Wednesday morning at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Noah was surrounded by family and friends at his death. He was 66.

Noah was born on March 31, 1945 in his family’s home near Moss Neck, NC to Trula Kinlaw Duncan and Herbert Wayne Duncan. He grew up on a farm where tobacco, corn and cotton were raised. As a teenager he played baseball, football and basketball at Parkton Senior High School.

He enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after a high school science teacher noticed his promise and suggested that he apply. Noah graduated from UNC in 1967 with a bachelor of science in accounting.

He married Gail Shelley of Raleigh in 1972; the couple moved to Cary in 1975. He was dedicated to his family, attending his daughters’ activities and encouraging them throughout their lives. His greatest joys were spending time with his family and playing a round of golf with good friends.

As a young man, Noah served in the National Guard and hoped to fly fighter jets. Instead, he earned a private pilot’s license and spent his adult life interested in airplanes and flight.

Noah was committed to many organizations, such as Children’s Flight of Hope, a charity that provides free air transportation for seriously ill or injured children who can’t travel by any other method. He served as a volunteer pilot, treasurer and member of its board of directors.

Noah belonged to The Church of the Good Shepherd in downtown Raleigh for nearly 40 years. He served as a junior warden, senior warden, vestry member and treasurer.

Especially close to Noah’s heart was the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, which serves more than 300 meals a day to men, women and children in poverty. He was on the board since its inception in the late ‘70s and served as its treasurer for many years; he was chairman at the time of his death.

An ardent UNC booster, Noah was a member of The Educational Foundation, Inc. and served on its board of directors and executive committee. He enjoyed prompt arrival at Carolina games and looked dapper in a certain shade of light blue. He tolerated a certain shade of red, and supported the Wolfpack Club out of love for his wife, a graduate of N.C. State University. Especially challenging for Noah was his wife’s penchant for Duke University, where she attended also. The Duncan family is especially close with one exception: game day.

He is survived by his wife Gail Shelley Duncan of Cary; daughter Shelley Duncan Scanlon and son-in-law Kevin Scanlon of Raleigh; daughter Melissa Gail Duncan of Holly Springs; daughter Kathryn Duncan Sharp and son-in-law Luke Sharp of Raleigh; grandchildren Noah Patrick Scanlon and Mary Frances Elizabeth Scanlon; sister Edna Rose Guy and brother-in-law William Guy of High Point; sister Mary Amanda Plyler and brother-in-law Philip Plyler of Advance; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Noah was predeceased by his parents, and brothers Richard Duncan and Herbert Wayne Duncan.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd. Memorial contributions may be made to The Shepherd’s Table at 121 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27603 or to Children’s Flight of Hope at 205 New Edition Court Cary, NC 27511.

Condolences and fond memories may be offered at www.brownwynnecary.com