Stephen Ray Duncan, 73, left this life Saturday July 10, 2021, and into the presence of his Heavenly Father. Steve’s hard-fought battle against the ravages of the Vietnam War and the effects of Agent Orange are over. Steve was born August 27, 1947, in Denison, Texas to Stephen Green and Jessie Yvonne Orsburn Duncan the youngest of five siblings.
Steve attended school at Durant, Calera and Achille graduating from Achille High School, Achille Oklahoma in 1965. Steve joined his brother and brothers-in-law working in the housing construction/framing business immediately after graduation. In October that year, he was hired by the Pillsbury Company and worked there until the plant closed in 2003.
Steve met the love of is life ‘Rena Lou Bell in the summer of 1965. They were married August 27, 1966. Shortly before they were married, he received his official “Greetings” from Uncle Sam a common thing in those days for young draft aged men. Steve was inducted into the United States Army October 4, 1966, at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla. He left for Vietnam and arrived in country the day before the beginning of the 1968 Tet Offensive. Steve and ‘Rena were the parents of three sons Stephen Ben Duncan, Robert Edward Duncan and John Leslie Duncan.
Steve was preceded in death by his much-loved son, John; his parents; his brother, Danny Gene Duncan; his sister, Birdie Yvonne Duncan South and her husband Aaron; and his brother-in-law, Earnest Winnett, father and mother-in-law, Ben and Sally Bell and brother-in-law, Harold Martin Bell. 
Steve is survived by his wife, ‘Rena of the home; son, Steve of Achille; son, Bobby of Achille; granddaughters: Rena Chloann Duncan of Achille, Victoria LaRay Thompson and husband Reed of Sherman, Texas, Stephanie Ann Duncan of Sherman, Texas, Sally Megan Duncan of New Braunfels, Texas, Kayla Michelle Duncan of Benton, Ark., Autumn Lilly Duncan of the home, Leslie Marie Yeager and husband Jeremiah of Calera, Okla. and Brittany Renae Duncan and fiancée Auston Springer of Kenefic, Okla.; grandsons: LouisRay Edward Duncan and fiancée Victoria Guinn of Durant, Okla. and Stephen Benjamin Duncan of Texas; great-granddaughters: Cadence, Jaycee, Ivory, Alaina and RiverLyn and great-grandsons: Chevy and Stephen and Brayden and two littles in the making; brother, Benny Duncan of Durant, Okla.; sister, Vera Jo Winnett of Colbert, Okla.; brothers-in-law, Ben Bell and wife Peggy of Utica, Okla., Ed Bell and wife Jacki of Denison, Texas, Don Bell and wife Patsy of Colbert, Okla. and sister-in-law Connie Bell of Colbert, Okla.
Steve is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins and his dear childhood friend and longtime hunting buddy Larry Beaubien and wife Tony of Denison, Texas and a multitude of other close family and dear friends! Special recognition to the “Girls” of AHS Class of 1965 Steve loved you all very much, there is not another group of high school classmates as close as yours!
Steve was past President of American Federation of Grain Millers Union #237 G. Past President of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 986, Durant, Okla. Coached the Achille Little League Baseball Team for eight years even after his boys were no longer eligible to play in LL. He did it for the kids that would not get to play until another coach took over! Steve loved hunting, fishing, camping and most of all loved his family!!! Steve was a active member of the First Baptist Church of Achille for 51 years, baptized prior to departing for Vietnam! Steve had three Associates Degrees from Grayson County Junior College!
The Memorial for Steve will be held Saturday, July 17, at the Chickasaw Community Center in Achille, Okla. at 11 a.m. Steve’s brothers -in-law Ben and Ed will be conducting and coordinating the Memorial. Please come prepared to add your thoughts and stories about Steve as well. We will take Steve’s remains to the Rosewood Cemetery for internment following the Memorial! And please join the family afterwards for lunch catered by Lynie Monet Richardson a dear Chickasaw sister and family friend!
We honor the life of this hero and remember the lives of all our family and friends that have gone before! Steve and John are together again, Steve’s wish since May 4, 2003! ‘Rena, Stevie and Bobby.
In lieu of flowers if you plan on sending any please send a donation in Steve’s name to St. Judes Cancer Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee Scottish Rite Research Hospital, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219-3993, or Tunnel to Towers.org!
No need to bring anything! Just yourselves! We have it covered!!!!!!!
