Gordon N. Duncan, 80, of Ozawkie, KS, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2020 at his home.
Gordon Neil was born July 24, 1940 to Kenneth and Hazel (Maxwell) Duncan. Gordon was raised in Flandreau, SD where he graduated from high school in 1958. Gordon then attended the University of South Dakota. Gordon joined the South Dakota Army National Guard starting as an enlisted soldier. After attending Officer Candidate School he became an officer with the artillery branch rising to the rank of Major. Gordon was called to active duty in 1961 and stationed at Fort Sill, OK during the Berlin Crisis. Gordon always spoke proudly of serving his country with the National Guard. After his active duty tour, Gordon returned to South Dakota and went to work for the City of Sioux Falls engineer’s office. Gordon also worked for the L.G. Everist Company in both Sioux Falls, SD and Ortonville, MN. In 1972 Gordon moved his family to Watertown, SD and started Minn-Dak Roofing Company which he owned and operated for several years. Gordon also spoke fondly of the time he spent working for his uncles at the Duncan Elevator and Transfer Service. Gordon returned to college and completed his degree in Psychology from South Dakota State University. Upon moving to Flagstaff, AZ Gordon continued his education at the University of Northern Arizona where he earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology. Gordon moved to Garden City, KS where he worked at the Area Mental Health Center as a drug and alcohol counselor. One of Gordon’s passions was working with at-risk youth. Gordon developed a wilderness therapy and camping program called the Rocky Mountain High Camp for at-risk youth, taking them camping and backpacking in remote areas of Colorado. Gordon also volunteered at Miles of Smiles.org, an equine therapy program for children with disabilities. Upon his retirement Gordon moved to an acreage near Ozawkie, KS and Lake Perry. Gordon loved the peacefulness of the acreage and had many great friends in his community. Gordon enjoyed fishing and camping and especially loved fishing with his family on Lake Oahe in South Dakota.
Gordon is survived by his son: Troy (Arnell) Duncan, Sioux Falls; two grandchildren: Hunter and Elizabeth Duncan, Sioux Falls; two brothers: David (Deborah) Duncan, Durango, CO and Kenneth (Patricia) Duncan, St Paul, MN; and one sister Nancy Duncan (Jamie Moog), East Patchogue, NY.
Gordon was preceded in death by his son Todd Duncan, niece Abbey Duncan, his parents, and grandparents, William and Isabella Duncan and Neil and Vella Maxwell.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, SD with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm. Interment with Military Honors will be at Union Cemetery in Flandreau SD. The funeral service will be open to family and friends. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at Barnett Funeral Home in Oskaloosa, Kansas at 10:30 am on August 22, 2020.
Memorials preferred to Miles of Smiles at www.miles-of-smiles.org. www.skrochfc.com
