FARRIS ALLEN DUNCAN
Oct. 22, 1944-Nov. 14, 2017
Farris Allen Duncan, 73, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Farris was born Oct. 22, 1944, in Person County, N.C., to Alonzo and Gracie Duncan.
Farris spent his childhood in Person County, and attended Helena High School, where among many things, he was voted most popular and served as student body president before graduating in 1963.
After high school graduation, Farris attended North Carolina State University, and was active in the advanced ROTC program while earning a bachelor's degree in political science.
Farris also married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Bowling Duncan, while at North Carolina State University, and it was a union that lasted for more than 52 years.
Farris was allowed a military deferment, and attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1970.
Farris, with his young family in tow, began his military service as a judge advocate general (JAG) in the United States Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in May 1971.
During his 51/2 years of active service, Farris was also stationed at Sembach Air Base in Germany, and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
Farris remained active in the Air Force Reserve, and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel in October 2004.
Farris moved to Goldsboro, N.C., August 1976 to work as an assistant district attorney before joining the law firm of Langston and Duncan in 1980. It was during his tenure at Langston and Duncan that Farris hired Michelle Johnson, a woman who would become an essential part of his practice when he left to create his own firm in 1997.
Farris was active in the legal community, and was a member of various judiciary organizations.
Oct. 4, 1976, Farris joined the Sunrise Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro, and remained a dedicated member for the next 41 years. One of the most active participants, Farris was a key element in various club-sponsored events, most notably the Greater Goldsboro Road Run, where he was often a participant.
Farris was known to discuss club activities with an entertaining flair, and held several offices, including lieutenant governor for the district and club president.
Farris was awarded the Kiwanian of the Year in 2015, but was most proud of his perfect club attendance, which he held for 34 years.
Farris was extremely involved with First Baptist Church of Goldsboro. He was a faithful member of the congregation, a deacon, an usher and a trustee of the church. He held various other positions within the church, and was currently heading the Stained Glass Restoration Fund, a project that was very dear to him.
Farris was very active within the Goldsboro community, serving on the Wayne County Library Board and the Library Foundation, as well as causes devoted to education and mental health.
For more than 40 years, Farris was an avid runner. He was notorious through his neighborhood for his predawn runs, especially when he was training for a marathon.
Farris completed the Washington Marine Corps Marathon five times and the New York City Marathon once.
Farris was a dedicated family man, and would often be found playing evening games with grandchildren, and more times than not, was the one who needed to be pulled away when dinner was ready.
He was a loyal father who was always there in a time of need, regardless of the distress or distance. Most of all, he was the husband and best friend of Joyce. Outside of spending time with their family, they enjoyed walks on the beach, traveling the globe and discovering new things.
Farris is survived by his wife, Joyce Bowling Duncan, and his two children, Monica D. Rollins and her husband, Jeffrey Rollins, of Gainesville, Fla., and A. Scott Duncan and his wife, Anne-Laure Duncan, of Lyon, France; five grandchildren, Andrew Rollins, Michaela Rollins and Hannah Rollins of Gainesville, Fla., and Theo Duncan and Ella Duncan of Lyon, France.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Shelby Bass, and his brother, Colon Duncan.
He is survived by his sisters, Gracene Clayton and Anne Shaw both of Roxboro, N.C.; and his sister-in-law, Jennifer Bowling of Durham, N.C.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Nov, 19, 2017, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Goldsboro, with Rev. Scott Thrailkill officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Goldsboro, Stained Glass Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 1528, Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to family via www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 16, 2017 8:05 AM