Leon Chapman Duncan

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What can you say about our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin & friend?

Born to Afton Kenneth & Bertha Oberia Duncan in Denver Colorado. His life was humble & typical of an American family for that era. His father was a dairyman in Littleton & his mother a homemaker. Leon would work at the dairy alongside his father for a time when he was young. Even helped deliver a calf.

In 1940, the family welcomed a daughter Deloris. Though 5 years older than his little sister, he adored her & they remained close until his death.

He remembered listening about the attack on Pearl Harbor at the young age of 6. He also remembered the impact the depression had on his life. He really didn’t like spending money or throwing anything away.

In 1953 at age of 18, he was drafted and enlisted in the United States Navy and served at several stateside posts until being honorably discharged in 1961. He chose family over combat & stayed close to home but his love of the military & service to his country were prevalent throughout his life. He was patriotic to the core and always flew the flag with pride.

He met a cute, shy, little girl named Sandra Dee Neill in early 1954, but she was too young @ 16 so he’d have to remember her later, which he did. Reconnecting in mid ’55, Sandy & Leon were married forever in love July 28. 1956. Nine months and 1 day after the wedding, Becky was born in 1957, followed by Terri in 1960 & Marlene in 1962.

A music lover, Leon was self-taught on his electric guitar & thought he could play most of the surfing music grooves in the 60’s. Although, the music changed, he still played the oldies but goodies. He introduced his daughter, Terri to the guitar while she played the violin in school. She soon became a great accompanist to him with an acoustic guitar and singing with Mom. Later on, he would also teach some chords to his grandson Colan, who would become very passionate about music.

A Chevrolet lover in his teens, he joined several automotive enthusiast clubs, such as the Chevruns of Denver and was a founding member of the Mile High Nomad Club & co-founder of the National Nomad Club. He proudly displayed his Nomads, a ’55 “Green-Bean” & his beloved ’56 “Plumb-Crazy” by cruzin’ around and doing local shows. He had a name for every car he owned, Ben Blazer, Freddy Ford, Saturina and Misty. Becky and Terri remember fondly asking Dad if they could help him in the garage and he would find some safe task for them to do so they wouldn’t get too dirty or injured.

Always interested in current events, Marlene remembers Dad closing the pool for the moon landing in July of 69. He told ALL kids to get OUT & go instantly in the house to watch the color TV. She remembers there were many dripping wet children, no towels, with some not exactly sure what they were watching “BUT it WAS history!” We are so happy he insisted.

Another memory as children was the assortment of critters we would acquire in the fall. We remember Daddy rescuing them from the pool skimmers of the apartment complex. We would house them for the winter months until we could set them free in the spring. As a result, we sisters have never been afraid of snakes, lizards, salamanders or the like.

Uncle George came to live with Mom and Dad in the early 80s as his job required him to work in Denver for a while. Dad, Mom and George became very close. Aunt Loretta, and our cousins would also come out for frequent visits.

Leon held several jobs in his lifetime. He was proud of a being a park ranger in the Uncompahgre forest for the summers during high school. After his military service he became an accountant, an armed guard, and gasoline trucker. Then they (Mom and Dad) managed an apartment complex for many years. Finally resigning from the management position, he worked other various jobs, retiring in the early 90s. He was most proud of the swimming pool & spa business he started in the late 70’s. His sons-in-law, Stan & Steve worked with him for a short time until they started their own endeavors.

Probably the last time you saw him in better health was at Marlene’s wedding to her distinguished Englishman Dave, in May of 2011. Dad was delighted when Dave officially took the Duncan name to be his own. He was a proud Grandpa to Austin, Erica & Colan. Great-grandpa to Ashley, Marek, Madex & Jordan. Though he didn’t spend much time with his grandchildren, he loved them with all his heart.

In the end, Leon was not a miser but a man that gave generously to political, animal & military causes. He supported these & donated to his friends & families in need. Always with a hearty laugh, a big smile and a story to tell, we will carry many fond memories of him and that is comforting. We are proud to call Leon Chapman Duncan our father & we will miss him and love him forever.

As Dad would always say… “Catch ya’ on the rebound”.