Read Raymond Jerome Duncan's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Raymond Jerome Duncan

Hackensack, NJ, USA

December 2, 1941 - April 1, 2020

Dec 2, 1941 - Apr 1, 2020

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

Obituary for Raymond Duncan

Captain Raymond Jerome Duncan was born December 2, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the only child of the late Telford and Ernestine Tumbleston Duncan. He made his transition on April 1, 2020 in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Raymond attended Detroit Public Schools and Cass Tech High School, a prominent high school in Detroit, Michigan. He went through his initial aviation instruction with his father who owned a Flight Training School on Detroit Airport. Raymond’s first solo flight was at the age of 16. He became a licensed jet pilot after going to school in Chicago, Illinois in 1965. He was captain on planes such as the Cessna in his early days to the Gulfstream G5.

He was private pilot for Ray Charles and Stenson Funeral Home in Detroit. In 1975, Raymond became an Advanced Ground Instructor. He worked as a corporate pilot and retired from Bristol-Myers Squibb as captain flying Gulfstream G5s. His occupation took him around the world and enabled him to meet various dignitaries and celebrities such as Aretha Franklin, President George W Bush and Frank Sinatra to name a few. When he retired from Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2002, he was acknowledged for his excellent service with the company.

In December 1987, he married the love of his life, Dr. Bessie Watkins and they made their permanent home in Hackensack, New Jersey. Upon settling in Hackensack, Raymond and Bessie established themselves as faithful members of Unity Church of Christ in Teaneck. Shortly after his wife’s ordination, Raymond became an integral part of the church’s leadership. When it was time to acquire a bigger church, Raymond was very instrumental in choosing the property.

Raymond was a proud contributor to the Tuskegee Airmen Association and an avid member of the Monroe-Chester Sportsman Club in Chester, NY. He also earnestly supported the Wounded Warrior Project.

Raymond was an avid gardener and enjoyed planting cabbage, tomatoes, squash, and hot peppers, which he gave as gifts. He was very enthusiastic about antique cars, sportsman shooting, and fishing especially in the Stripe Bass Tournament on Martha’s Vineyard. He looked forward to travel to Barbados which was his favorite place. And he had a keen eye which made his photographs exceptional. Throughout it all, he loved music especially jazz. He and Melvin Franklin, of the Temptations, were close childhood friends. He was a great cook and loved to see people enjoy his food especially smoked turkey, baked beans, omelets, pancakes, and squash.

Raymond was a man of few words, and a very private person with a tender heart and quick wit. He was dedicated to mentoring the young men of his family, church, and community.

Raymond leaves to mourn his devoted and loving wife, Rev. Dr. Bessie Duncan; his children, Raymond Duncan, Jr. and Carla Dionne Duncan; daughter-in-law, Sandy Duncan, grandchildren, Donte and Trey; cousin: Jack Williams and his children, Jason, Trey, Irian and her children, Micah and Isaac; Loretta Prentis and her children, Nicolas and Nichol; and many dear friends, particularly Jimmy Hampton and Willis Reid.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.

Please consider a gift to Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation.

$380.00

Raised by 7 people

Learn more & give