Homer Gray Duncan Jr.

A native of Whiteville, NC, Homer was born on December 20, 1950, to Mr. and Mrs. Homer Gray Duncan, Sr. Homer was a devoted son, caring for his parents until their deaths. He was the proud and protective older brother of his sister, Sandra. He served as her guardian and ensured excellent care for her until her death in 2023.

Growing up, Homer was surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, which ingrained in him the importance of family. As a youth he enjoyed all types of activities including baseball, fishing, and piano. The railroad ran by his family home resulting in a lifelong love of trains, including the hobby of model trains. A fellow resident of Atria Cary built a model train down the hall and Homer was thrilled to see it everyday. Homer worked on the family farm and surrounding farms, cropping tobacco and other various tasks; he developed a great respect for the local farmers and never forgot his roots.

He graduated from Whiteville High School in 1969. He excelled as a student and attended Governor’s School for math. He played baseball, served as the statistician for the basketball team, and played in the concert band. Homer also played keyboard in a band that traveled to the Myrtle Beach Pavilion (much to his mother’s chagrin); on one occasion, he backed up the then up-and-coming Otis Redding.

An avid Tar Heel, he graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Master's of Accounting. While there, he met the love of his life, Cathy, his wife of 48 years (and girlfriend of 51 years, according to Homer). He worked various jobs from handyman to dishwasher, played intramural football, and logged countless hours at Finley golf course. Through his fraternity he served the UNC Children’s Hospital, happily playing Santa for the pediatric burn victims. After a short stint working as a salesman in Wisconsin, he returned to Chapel Hill in 1976 to complete his degree, sit for the CPA exam, and get married.

Homer was a CPA at Raleigh-based Lynch, Howard, & Walker (later Lynch & Howard and eventually Frost, PLLC) for over 35 years, serving clients throughout NC, the US, and around the world. His material success was not as important to him as maintaining his integrity and his clients’ best interests. He cared very much for his business partners, employees and clients, forming lifelong friendships with many of them. Homer’s creative approach led him to many interesting projects over the years. His membership in MSI Global Alliance enabled world travel and in typical Homer fashion it was the relationships he valued most.

He served the community through work with the V Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Cary Jaycees, the Boys & Girls Home of NC, First United Methodist Church Cary, and many others. He coached Little League football for the Cary Bengals and was an enthusiastic leader, win or lose.

A man of deep faith, Homer read the Bible many times throughout his life. He was a generous giver, joyfully sharing his time, talent, and treasure without the expectation of recognition or reciprocation. His family continues to learn more examples of his generosity over the years.

Homer enjoyed cooking and hosting gatherings of any sort. Another sign of his faith, he knew no strangers and welcomed all at his table. From elaborate holiday meals to simple cookouts, Homer was happiest surrounded by good food, good music, and most importantly, his loved ones. One of his favorite gatherings was a Carolina tailgate, which he hosted for every home football game for decades. Again, he welcomed all, including the parking attendants and even fans from the opposing team.

Homer lived for his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Everything he did was for the good of his family. By example, he instilled the values of faith, family, honesty, hard work, education, service to others, and generosity. To his dying breath he was in love with his wife, proud of his daughters and sons-in-law, and delighted with his grandchildren. He never hesitated to express his love – in fact, his last words with each of his immediate family were “I love you.”

In addition to his beloved wife, Homer is survived by daughters Margarette Harris of Cary, Marie Otto (Jason) of Raleigh, and Meredith Khullar (Sid) of Cincinnati, OH as well as granddaughters Catherine Grace and Caroline Harris and grandsons Elijah Harris and Duncan Otto. He is also survived by numerous cousins who he loved dearly and kept in close touch with throughout his life.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Cary and Columbus County Community Foundation.

The family will be receiving of friends in the sanctuary at FUMC of Cary, 117 S. Academy St, Cary, NC 27511, on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.. A memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m., A committal service will take place at the church columbarium after a short reception in the fellowship hall.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by Clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Duncan family.