David Walter Duncan

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (1 Timothy 4:7) David Walter Duncan finished his course November 3, 2017. He was born April 15, 1933 in Hickory, North Carolina to Walter and Grace Harris Duncan. He attended N.C. State University and earned a Civil Engineering degree, then moved to Charlotte and worked 32 years with Charlotte Mecklenburg Utility Department (CMUD). He served in the US Army during the Cold War in the 14th Armored Calvary as a tank commander guarding the Germany/Russia border. The day after his discharge from the Army he married his Rachel in a church ceremony in Hudson, NC. That union was blessed with a son David Walter Duncan Jr and a daughter Elizabeth Anne Duncan (Boswell). David and Rachel believed that education should be experienced and as a family traveled to all 50 states and Europe. They retired in 1993 and traveled to every continent. David started running at the age of 40 and it became a passion from daily neighborhood runs to local and distant races and marathons. He competed in North Carolina Senior Games until past the age of 80. He fought a good fight against cancer for half of his life and a fierce hand-to-hand battle for the last six years. David crossed the finish line in the tender arms of Harris Hospice. He is preceded by his parents and a brother Earl. He is survived by his wife Rachel, son Dave and his wife Brenda, daughter Beth Boswell and husband Patrick, granddaughters Alexandra and Savannah and her husband Eric Durban, sister Inez Gilbert and a host of nieces and nephews. Additional survivors include beloved in-laws Barbara C. Irons, Russell Colvard, Mack Colvard, Tony Colvard and their families. David was a devoted member of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church where he was a deacon, trustee, teacher and participated in many mission trips. His memory will be honored there on November 6th, 2017 at 1pm by pastors Bobby Morrow and Stan Heiser. Following the memorial service, the family will greet friends in the Gathering Place at the church. Memorials may be given to the PMBC Mission Fund at 1117 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 23203, to Novant Harris Hospice at 324 N. McDowell St, Charlotte, NC 28204 or to the American Red Cross where he was a longtime volunteer.