Gaines Hamilton Duncan
September 19, 1917 ~ February 8, 2015
Gaines Hamilton Duncan was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on September 19,, 1917 to parents Rosa and Sheriden Duncan. As was the case for many Americans at that time, life started on the farm. That is where Gaines learned the value of hard work and a good work ethic. That's probably where he developed his love of food too. Anyone who knew Gaines, knew that he loved to eat.
Obviously, America was a very different place 97 years ago. As a point of reference, Woodrow Wilson was the president in 1917 and notable people who shared his birth year included singers and actors, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Desi Arnaz. The year also brought the birth of one of America's future leaders, President John F. Kennedy.
In popular culture that year, many things centered around World War I. Famous art work included the picture of Uncle Sam pointing and finger and stating, "I Want You!". A Popular song "Goodbye Ma, Goodbye Pa, Goodbye Mule" focused on young men leaving the farm and heading to Europe, to take part in the first World War.
In 1941, Gaines was also ready to leave the farm and join the fight, but this time it was World War II that came calling. While in the Army, one of his jobs was to get airplanes ready for battle. Pilots were said to make a point of letting people know, they wouldn't go back up in a plane, unless Duncan was the one who worked on it! Gaines later joined the Air Force and lived in various places, from Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma to Taipei, Taiwan. He served another 20 years until he retired at the rank of Master Sergeant, from Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio.
Now it was time to put all that experience from the farm and his military service to more good use. Gaines started a new career in banking, at what was then, First National Bank in San Antonio. As a bank officer, he helped to oversee operations until his second retirement.
As they say, "You can take the man out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the man!" Gaines loved to fish, enjoy the sunshine, the fresh air and everything was made better by a good cup of coffee. There are many references in the bible about what Heaven looks like. In addition to the Pearly Gates, we hope there's also a Starbuck's on every corner!
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Dearest Deborah. ON behalf of every one at BB1 Classic, please except our condolences for your loss. Our prayers and love are with you and your family.
Sincerely, the BB1 Classic Fashion Team
Deborah, Your father was such a good and kind man. And always a joy to be around. So glad that he became a part of my life when I was 12 – I always loved going to your house. He had the greatest smile, was always joking and always offering me things to eat ! So welcoming. I cherish the memories of your father – and I love what I see of him in you.
I just found this today. I was thinking of Mr. Duncan and decided to google him and get the telephone number to check in on him. I sent a Christmas card in December and received one back from Esther that he was ill and in the hospital. I am so, so saddened to see that he passed shortly thereafter.
I met Mr. Duncan at the First National Bank in 1976. It was my first job out of high school and I walked by Mr. Duncan’s desk every day on my way to the accounting office where I worked. We would say “hi” to each other. The bank had a little cafeteria run by a sweet lady named “Amy”. I would share coffee breaks and lunch with Mr. Duncan whenever I could..and yes, always an afternoon cup of joe. He was so funny and warm and sweet. One day I had a fender bender in the parking lot. I was in tears when I came inside, knowing I had to call my Dad to tell him…I thought for sure he would be mad. Mr. Duncan calmed me down and reassured me that my dad wouldn’t be upset and that all he would want to know was that I wasn’t hurt. He gave me a hug and let me sit down at his desk to call my dad, while he stood next to me for moral support. Sure enough, the first thing out of my Dad’s mouth was….are you okay? Mr. Duncan was right…of course he was, he was a Dad.
Mr. Duncan gave me great advise too. Every time I was dating someone, they would invariably come by the bank to pick me up for lunch at some point, and in so doing, would meet Mr. Duncan…(I made sure of it). Mr. Duncan would ever so carefully give me his opinion. Of the 3 or so boys I dated, the only one Mr. Duncan liked was the last one. He’s the one I ended up marrying and we’ve been married since 1978. Mr. Duncan had really good instincts.
To me, Mr. Duncan was more than a friend….he was my second dad and I loved him and looked up to him. I don’t think there has been any Christmas in the last almost 40 years that we didn’t exchange Christmas cards. He’d tell me how his family was doing and I’d tell him how ours was doing.
I’m sorry this has turned into such a long post, but I so want to give Esther and the family my deepest, most heartfelt condolences and to let you all know how much Mr. Duncan will be missed by his friend from First National Bank. He will always be in my heart.
Susan Hopstetter Cuellar
Thank you for your kind words Ms. Susan. My name is Nicole, I am the eldest granddaughter. I happened to come here because I had my Grandpa on my mind. Seeing your comment warmed my heart. Anyone who knew him knew an incredible, genuine person. I miss him so much.