Danny Ray Duncan

Danny Ray Duncan, 63, of Lafayette, passed away at home on Sunday, July 17, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer.  Dan was born October 29, 1952, in Anderson, to the late Dale and Bessiemae Cooper Duncan.

He was raised in Lakeland, FL, and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1971.  He obtained his degree in music theory from the University of Tennessee in 1974.  After his graduation, he toured with the Gulf Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, Tina Turner, and Air Supply.  Throughout his life, he lived in Tennessee and Kentucky before moving back to the Flora and Cutler, Indiana areas in 1978.  In 1997, he moved in Lafayette.

Dan’s love was music.  He started playing guitar at the age of five and drew his inspiration from his father’s creative style of playing and his mother’s expertise for tight-knit harmonies.  Dan formed ties with Nashville and worked with Evergreen Records on some recordings.  Overall, he played 13 instruments and sang in many bands including local bands, Black Silver, Snake Charmers, and Angela McKinny Band.  He was a member of ASCAP and BMI.

Since 2012, Dan was the Senior Environmental Health and Safety Associate at Caterpillar.  He had worked prior at the City of Lafayette and NTK Precision Axle Corp.  Dan was a charter member of Valley View Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Dan is preceded in death by his brother, Rodger.

Dan is survived by his wife, Terri Hicks Duncan; step-daughter, Julieann (Dennis) Davis, of Lafayette; sister, Treva (Mike) Shell, of Bringhurst; aunts, Maxine Miller and Barbara Gifford; niece, Jessica Bradley; nephew, Todd Shell; three great nieces, and four great nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Valley View Baptist Church in Flora, on Saturday, July 23, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to the start of the celebration of life at 12:00 p.m.  Pastor Bill Godbey will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dan’s name may be made to Western Band Boosters, PO Box 50, Russiaville, IN, 46979.  Arrangements are entrusted to Genda Funeral Home Reinke Chapel in Flora.  Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.