Friday, April 11, 2014

Lonnie Ernest Duncan Jr. Rest in Peace - Former Pressman LA Times

 November 25, 1929 - March 31, 2014 Lonnie Ernest Duncan, Jr., was born November 25, 1929, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Lonnie Ernest and Nettie Mae (Smith) Duncan. He passed away Monday, March 31, 2014, in Fullerton, California, following a courageous battle with cancer. 

Mr. Duncan was a man of many names. "Junior", as he was known as a young boy, spent his early years in the Midwest. When he was a teenager, "Ernie" and his family moved to California where he finished high school. To those who knew Mr. Duncan he will be remembered as a kind, gentle and compassionate man who was generous and sensitive to others. He was a man of integrity and earnest in all things. 

A man of humble beginnings, Ernie learned the value of hard work. As a young man he went to work for the Los Angeles Times as a pressman. He would work during the night printing the paper, and, during the day, he and a partner began acquiring and renting construction equipment. As the rental business grew, Ernie was able to leave the LA Times. He eventually bought out his partner and continued to grow the business into a considerable empire in Southern California. 

In 1998, "Mr. D", as he was affectionately known by so many, sold ADCO Equipment to United Rentals and began new ventures in his retirement. While he enjoyed all sports, he especially liked to golf and ski-both water and snow skiing. He was a member of the Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, and he won the MacGregor Tournament in 1997. He was also the successful owner of a Sprint car in the late 60's. His love of fishing led him to purchase the Katmai Lodge along the Alagnak River in Alaska's prime king salmon fishing region. He also enjoyed traveling and has traveled all over the world. 

He was a Distinguished Member of the International Society of Tastemasters and a supporter of Childhelp USA. On February 23, 2013, Lonnie joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This decision brought him a great deal of joy and happiness. The crowning event of his spiritual journey occurred on March 1, 2014, when he and his wife, Kimberlee, were sealed for time and all eternity in the Newport Beach California Temple. While Mr. Duncan was blessed with success in many ways, his greatest treasure of all was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Kimberlee; daughters, Teena Duncan and Susan Duncan; sons, John (Candace) Packard, Steven (Elaine) Packard, and Craig (Linda) -Packard; sisters, Dimple McCullough and Sharon (Bud) Harper; many wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his long-time professional staff, Carol Packard, Willie Rocha, Maria Foster, and Siggie Johnson, who he also dearly loved. 

He was pre-deceased by his wife of many years and the mother of his children, Dolores Duncan. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made, in his name, to St. Jude Memorial Foundation, 101 E. Valencia Mesa Dr., Fullerton, Ca 92835. A service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2014, 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15265 Mulberry Drive, Whittier, CA. Interment will follow at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, CA.  

See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=lonnie-ernest-duncan&pid=170474063#sthash.wZBEF8PV.dpuf

Published in the Los Angeles Times on Apr. 3, 2014


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