Barry Leo Duncan

Beloved son and brother, Barry Leo Duncan, age 53, passed away November 4, 2018, at his residence in Redwood City, California. He was born June 26, 1965, in San Jose, California, to Harold Maurice Duncan and Pamela Lou Duncan.

Barry is survived by aunts and uncles: Carletta (Richard) and Allen; Donald and Marcile; Samuel Gillard (Debbie) and predeceased Carolyn Lea; Ronald Vernie (Suellen) and Brandy; Bruce Timothy and Phyllis; Denis and predeceased Adrienne Gale. Survived by his cousins: Alana, Jana Lee, David and LaDona; Donald, Melissa and Cindy; Ann, Julie, and Corrina; Joshua George and Joseph (Cassidie); Brandie; and Ronald Anthony.

Barry is preceded by his beloved brother Richard Maurice Duncan, by his paternal grandparents Elizabeth Nancy and Elijah Leo, by his maternal grandparents Patricia Ann and Vernie, and by his aunts Adrienne Gale and Carolyn Lea.

Barry grew up in Palo Alto, a small friendly town in Northern California, south of San Francisco that had many community activities and classes for children, beautiful parks, a Children’s Theatre, Children’s Library and Junior Museum and Zoo, ice skating rink and many other child focused activities and places to be and to see and enjoy. Barry had a good childhood growing up together with his brother in this wonderful place and had a close, loving relationship with both parents. He attended and received a quality education, taught by attentive, capable school teachers at Addison Elementary School, David Starr Jordan Middle School, and Palo Alto High School.

Barry was born with an adventurous and sociable personality. He enjoyed the company of others, was congenial, fun and kind, with a positive outlook and a happy spirit. He was good-natured, easy going, and polite. His friends were important to him, the cool times they shared, their companionship and camaraderie.

Barry enjoyed sailing with his Dad, brother and friends on the San Francisco Bay in his dad’s sailboat, visiting Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, Sausalito, and St. Francis Yacht Club among other destinations, as well as camping on Angel Island. He became adept and skilled at sailing. He liked going on local sightseeing road trips with his dad driving through the nearby hills, visiting points of local interest, the California Missions, and farms open to the public, etc. At an early age, while at a Northern California ski resort, along with his brother, his mom and friends, he learned to ski with immense childhood enthusiasm, energy and a lot of fun.

As he got older, Barry played basketball and he liked skate boarding and cycling. In middle school he had a paper route and in high school, after class, worked part time at a nearby restaurant. He learned to play the flute and the piano and developed a true love of music. He created works of art in pottery, drawing and painting. He got his driver’s license in high school with his Aunt’s car to practice driving and to take the test. Like a lot of his family members, Barry enjoyed growing tomatoes. He loved animals and helped care for the family pets, dogs, cats, hamsters, chickens and rabbits. He loved family get-togethers, barbecues, picnics, camping trips, holiday dinners and birthday parties with his grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. He dearly loved and had great affection and respect for his relatives.

During his senior year in high school Barry became interested in joining the U.S. Navy. He researched information about the Navy so he could make an informed decision as to whether enlisting would be a good choice for him. He found out about the requirements and responsibilities of being in the Navy and about military life in general, about the training and the benefits provided. He had two uncles who joined the Navy after they graduated high school in the early 1970’s and two great-uncles who served in the Navy during World War II. Barry did enlist in the Navy and he attended Basic Training Boot Camp in San Diego, California.

While in Boot Camp Barry contracted a rare, life-threatening neurological illness, Guillain Barre Syndrome, from an injection of Swine Flu vaccine administered to him. This autoimmune illness progresses rapidly with weakness and intensity of pain in the extremities and acute paralysis from legs to arms, neck and diaphragm with deep non-responsive tendon reflexes, low blood pressure and loss of consciousness. To survive and minimize physiological damage, the patient must be hospitalized and treated immediately. After contracting GBS in boot camp Barry was not provided with nor did he receive medical care for the illness. He followed orders, and with grit and determination set his mind to do the best he could to fight through the illness, to complete training and to graduate. After graduation Barry was proud and pleased that he had succeeded in completing Boot Camp and that he had successfully graduated, but he was still very sick. Anyone looking at him could clearly see that he was suffering and unwell, painfully thin and frail, and that he needed urgent medical attention. After graduation the Navy immediately flew him, along with other graduates, to Millington, Tennessee, for specialized training. During the flight to Millington, Barry’s physical condition worsened, he deteriorated into a state of collapse and lost consciousness. When the plane arrived in Millington, he was transported to Millington Naval Hospital Emergency and admitted to Intensive Care. Diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome he remained hospitalized for months and received intensive medical care to save his life. Still in critical condition, the U.S. Navy medi-vaced Barry by plane to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, where he received long term medical care and treatment for over a year. Because of the serious nature of the GBS illness Barry had contracted in Boot Camp, the bodily damage it had done and the possibility that he may not survive or recover, the U.S. Navy retired Barry with an Honorable Medical Retirement Discharge. They did the best they could for him.

After contracting GBS his health and his life took a different path than he had initially planned and had hoped for in the Navy. The illness led him on a journey of long hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, amputations, being wheelchair bound, and nursing home stays, physical therapy and residences in assisted living homes over a span of many years while his health improved at times but overall continued to decline.

Although very ill and now disabled with the residuals from this illness, it amazed his family and friends how he never complained, even though he continually suffered in many ways. He retained his sense of humor, enjoyed good times and tried to make the best of things. At one point he improved enough to have his own apartment and have close friends visit. He liked to cook and enjoyed making delicious meals for himself and his friends. He was able to do little things he enjoyed like growing tomatoes on his sunny patio and got a cat named Digger. Before he lost his leg Barry began to visit scenic natural areas in Northern California, beautiful forested mountains, the historic Gold Country, the calm, peaceful coast and the desert, a short, few hours away, to get out into nature, to revitalize and enjoy the healing beauty and power of mother nature. He was able to escape, for a while, from the tension, pressure and tiresome monotony of being chronically ill with its many stressful doctor appointments, worrisome surgeries and set-backs. He did not voice disappointments or anger that he might have felt about having contracted this unexpected illness with its chronic health issues and permanent physiological damage. He had courage and strength and kept on keeping on, making the most of his life even though he suffered much pain and many adversities.

When he was able to, Barry helped others. At one point he had the opportunity to help care for a paralyzed quadriplegic. He provided care, companionship, compassion and understanding for someone who also had physical disabilities which allowed them to relate to each other on many positive levels. Barry, with his kind heart, seemed to shine with happiness to be able to help and care for this person. For a time, when his physical condition had improved enough, he attended courses at a local college and really found it rewarding. He enjoyed going to class and being around the other students and learning. Although his health was sometimes on an up-swing, it continued to decline overall and sometimes quickly worsened with medical emergencies and set-backs. His family witnessed his courage, mental strength, faith and determination as he became a man of steadfast bravery during this period of his life.

Years after he became ill Barry’s right leg was amputated. After it healed, the doctors would not approve his having a prosthetic. They didn’t want pressure put on his remaining foot and leg which might cause them damage. After a few more years of being wheelchair bound Barry again pursued getting a prosthetic so he could walk, which would allow him to be more self-reliant and independent. He quietly, on his own, contacted his doctors and sought and then received medical approval and authorization for the careful, time consuming, involved, and arduous process necessary to prepare his body to be fitted with a prosthetic. He made and attended the requisite podiatric appointments and began the required, specialized physical therapy. In his wheelchair, with patience, he took the bus from his assisted living residence to and from the hospital every week for many months. He remained positive and hopeful that he would be able to accomplish this worthwhile goal that could have a significant, positive impact on the quality of his life. With tenacity he put in the time and effort needed to accomplish this goal that was so very important to him. He persevered with self-discipline and single minded focus to reach his objective of being able to walk again.

He accepted no pity and never felt sorry for himself. He maintained a quiet inner strength and an uncomplaining courage no matter what adversities he faced. He saw the best in people and he never said an unkind or negative word about anyone. He learned what it was like to suffer physically, emotionally and mentally and endured the many adverse struggles of dealing with chronic disabilities but kept hope in his heart. He fought to improve his health with determination and focused on recovery even though his condition continued to worsen. It became a full-time job for him to maintain his health from day to day. He was a good, brave man, non-complaining, with unshakable faith.

Barry was courageous in battling adversities few people have faced, too numerous to mention. He would be embarrassed to hear anyone say admiring, wonderful things about him, but nevertheless they are true. The Lord placed heavy burdens on Barry as a young man from the time he became ill until the day the Lord called him home. Barry carried the burdens God gave him for as long a distance as he could, his heart steadfast and determined, unwavering, unshakeable, with resolute faith.

On November 4, 2018 our Lord God called Barry home, to be with Him in heaven, where burdens are lifted and pain and suffering are non-existent. In our Father’s house are many mansions, where Barry walks, limbs restored, tall and agile, graceful and confident, healthy, whole and strong. In our blessed Lord God’s everlasting love, joy and eternal peace he abides.

Dearest Barry, beloved son and brother, family member and friend:

In life we loved you dearly

In death we love you still

In our hearts you hold a place

No one could ever fill

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn’t go alone

For part of us went with you

The day God took you home

God bless you, Barry, your goodness and your courage. You are greatly missed. We will be together again. Love is eternal.

Barry’s ashes will be scattered and released by his parents during June of 2019, into nature as he wished, scattered amid a verdant forest, peaceful, beautiful and quiet, among fragrant Pines and released into the sparkling, clear waters of the Stanislaus River’s South Fork that flows through the Sierra Madre Mountains of Northern California.

If you wish, memorial donations may be made to:

The Guillain-Barre Foundation

GBS – CIDP Foundation International

https://www.gbs-cidp.org