Robert Porter Duncan Jr., 76

Robert Porter Duncan Jr., aka “Bobby” aka “Duncan,” passed peacefully at home in Vancleave, Miss., on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. Duncan was born Sept. 15, 1947, in Greenville, Miss., to Robert and Elizabeth Duncan.

Duncan grew up fishing and hunting in the bayou. He knew all the names of the trees, plants and creatures of the swamp. He would spend weeks in the woods during hunting season.

Duncan played middle linebacker in high school and graduated from Vancleave High School in 1965. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a biology degree, Duncan worked as a teacher at Ed Mayo in Moss Point for 12 years.

He married Brenda Keen in 1976 and they had one child, Eva, in 1982. Duncan worked at the shipyard and later the health department in Marion County. In 1993, the family moved out west to Oregon where he learned all about the Pacific Northwest. He learned how to bowhunt mule deer, bear and elk. From Oregon they moved to Washington state and lived in Walla Walla and then on to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. In Bonners Ferry, he worked for Idaho Fish and Game. His bayou skills came in handy as he worked with tribal members on the Moyie River tagging and logging sturgeon and salmon. He was a master boater. 

Duncan moved back to Mississippi to care for his ailing mother in 2012. Brenda and him parted ways and he reunited with his Mississippi hunting family and Deedy Holden became his fishing and hunting partner and constant companion. Deedy cared for Duncan during his diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Deedy and his daughter Eva were by his side when he transitioned to the heavenly bayou and hunting grounds.

He was the best Daddy and Grandpa. He was a best friend to many and is missed terribly.

Duncan is survived by Deedy Holden; BJ (Shawn) Nolan; his daughter, Eva (Chad) Carper; grandchildren, Jones, Nola and Holden; his brother, Carl Duncan; Kyle (Melanie) Holden, sister (Pat) Burlison, Bart (Michelle) Holden; and his extended Holden, Keen, and Carper family.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 5, 2024, at Robert’s home on the bayou in Vancleave. In lieu of flowers, please plant a white oak in his memory or make a donation to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. 

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Robert Porter Duncan Jr.