Robert Porter Duncan Jr.
76, Vancleave
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Robert’s home on the bayou in Vancleave for Robert Porter Duncan Jr., aka “Bobby” or “Duncan,” 76, of Vancleave, who passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 16, at home.
He was born Sept. 15, 1947, in Greenville to Robert and Elizabeth Duncan. He 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. He 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, he 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. He 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 bow hunt mule deer, bear and elk. From Oregon, they moved to Washington state where they 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 Moyei River tagging and logging sturgeon and salmon. He was a master boater.
He moved back to Mississippi to care for his ailing mother in 2012. He and Brenda parted ways, he reunited with his Mississippi hunting family and Deedy Holden became his fishing and hunting partner and constant companion. Deedy cared for him 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.
Survivors include Deedy Holden; B.J. Nolan (Shawn); his daughter, Eva Carper (Chad); grandchildren, Jones, Nola and Holden; brother, Carl Duncan; Kyle Holden (Melanie); Sis Burlison (Pat); Bart Holden (Michelle); and extended Holden, Keen and Carper family.
In leu of flowers, please plant a white oak in his memory or donate to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Robert Porter Duncan Jr.
