Roger Griffin Duncan

Griff Duncan March 25, 1933 – May 21, 2017   Griff Duncan co-founder of FCLO Music Theatre passed away at home with his wife Jan by his side on May 21, 2017.  Griff was born on March 25, 1933 in Springfield, Arkansas; a small town nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. He was the fourth child of Grace and Walter Duncan. He is survived by his wife Jan, his children: Gregg Moore (Laurel), Marilyn (Randy Gianetti), Laura Duncan PhD, Kyle Duncan (Qing), grandchildren: Ryan Nemetz (Marisol), Sean Nemetz (Lora), Alison (Seth Alexander), Elizabeth Moore, Samantha Gianetti, Megan Duncan, Joshua Duncan and great-grandchildren:  Jacob Nemetz, William Nemetz, Roy and Richard Alexander. He is also survived by his brother, Conley Duncan MD, sister, Patricia (Bill Medley), sister-in law, Juanita Duncan and numerous nieces and nephews.   Griff was always a country boy at heart.  It was that country boy charm and down-home sincerity that was at the core of his success.   His journey to California began during the Korean War.  After graduating high school he attended Arkansas Tech, but his education was interrupted when he joined the army in 1952 and was stationed in Northern California.  He never left the Golden State.  Here is his timeline:         After the war, he went to Chico State and graduated with a degree in Business.       He spent many years working as a Human Resource Personnel Manager and as a union arbitrator for General Motors, and later Hunt-Wesson.       In 1959 he married Jan Duncan, and began his family in Walnut Creek, California with Jan’s three children, Gregg, Brett and Marilyn.       In 1961, his daughter Laurie was born, his son, Kyle, in 1963.       In 1963, he and Jan founded the Contra Costa Musical Theatre, which is still in operation today. In their first production, Griff played Harold Hill, in The Music Man, which to his last day remained his favorite role.       Griff moved to Fullerton in 1968, when Hunt Wesson transferred him to their Fullerton-based affiliate, the Glass Container Corporation. He worked there for over twenty years before moving on to Carrier Corporation.  But that was only his day job…       From 1968-1971, Griff was actively involved in theater and choir at the United Methodist Church and the Fullerton Footlighters.       In the early 70’s with the help of the City of Fullerton, he and Jan founded the Fullerton Civic Light Opera, where their first production of “Fiddler on the Roof” was performed in Plummer Auditorium in February of 1972. They would continue to produce musical theater in Plummer for the next 40 years.       In 2009, Griff founded the John Raitt Awards for Youth (JRAY) awarding excellence in High School Musical Theatre serving Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties. The 'JRAYs', named after Fullerton’s own Broadway legend, John Raitt, offers college scholarships, trophies and medallions in celebration of outstanding student achievements at the annual JRAY Award Ceremony. From there, two winning participants are sent to New York City for special classes and to showcase their talents before casting directors and agents in association with Broadway Artists Alliance. Several JRAY winners have gone on to successful professional careers in Broadway theatre and with national touring companies. As the heart and soul of JRAY, Griff's wish is that his legacy of FCLO Music Theatre lives on in JRAY and support of scholarships for youth in continuing education.       To keep his dream alive the family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Griff's memory to:                       JRAY c/o Michele Leighton 230 Palmer Street,                       Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Funeral service will be 11 AM Friday, June 2, 2017 at First United Methodist Church 114 N. Pomona Ave, Fullerton. Burial will immediately follow at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton. The family wishes for you to join them at for a reception before the graveside at Loma Vista Memorial Park.