Herschel Duncan

HERSCHEL BENTON (H.B.) DUNCAN, age 71, passed away on December 21, 2009 at his home in Lincoln AR after a very short bout with cancer. He was born in Fayetteville AR on August 31, 1938 to the late Walter Nathaniel Duncan and Millie Ruth Meredith-Duncan of Round Mountain east of Fayetteville. His was pre-deceased by his grandparents were Wm. and Cleo Duncan of Round Mountain and Joe and Ora Meredith and of the Wyman Community. Herschel and his siblings were reared in a home by very devout, loving parents in the Assembly of God denomination. His Dad, Walter Duncan, was a dedicated and honorable Assembly of God pastor for many years. His brother, Ralph, is the pastor of an Assembly of God church in Franklin TN. Having been reared in a family that was taught the meaning of hard work, Herschel began at the age of 17 driving a truck to help support his family after his Dad became seriously ill. He and his brothers helped the family survive until their Dad regained his health. Herschel served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963 at Ft. Eustis, VA. After serving two years, he and his wife, Loretta Ruth Blalock-Duncan, moved back to Northwest Arkansas where they began their family, a daughter, Cheryl Kay, and a son, Jim. Herschel became a very successful and respected businessman in Springdale. In 1963, he and his wife bought Shaver Produce from Sherrel and Anita Shaver and operated as Duncan Produce for several years. When Urban Renewal purchased the building, they bought 10 acres on East Emma and built a new building, operating as Springdale Banana House for several years. In 1969, Herschel purchased a small grocery store on East Emma and operated as Sav-Mor Grocery Store. Then, with growing pains, Herschel built a larger grocery store on East Emma in front of his Food Service so that he could manage both operations personally while operating as Farmer's Warehouse Market. Herschel built up many friends during these busy, hectic years in the Springdale area. Herschel expanded his produce business to a full Food Service and operated as Duncan Foods for several years. His company incorporated the full-service needs of restaurants, local grocery stores and schools in northwest Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma with fresh produce, meats and other cafeteria supplies. Herschel became known as the "Banana King of Northwest Ark" because of his ripening skills of bananas. He closed out this business in 1994. Herschel and his wife owned 40 acres west of Springdale during this time which now incorporates the Arvest Ball Park. He and his wife felt very honored that such an entity would choose the exact property which they owned. Among the crops that were produced on the farm were grapes, apples and peaches that Herschel and his family tended along with the other businesses that he owned and managed. In 1994, Herschel purchased a truck and trailer and went on long-haul driving. He hauled for Dewayne Provence of Fayetteville several years, and later, Wal-Mart out of Bentonville. He really enjoyed driving his 'big' truck until he fell out of his trailer onto the concrete pavement while making a delivery to a Tyson chicken plant in Pine Bluff in 2004 and crushed his hip. He managed to get back up into the truck and, while holding his leg in traction, drove the truck back to Mountainburg where he was picked up in the family vehicle and driven back to the hospital emergency room in Springdale. He had to have a total hip replacement which hindered greatly his driving ability. He took his grandson, Brandon Tabor, with him and taught him how to operate the big rig over the next few years. Then Herschel's wife sold his truck at her yard sale so that ended that season of his life. In all that Herschel did, he believed in working long, hard hours, usually 15 to 18 hours a day, and seven days a week. His motto over the years was "You are only selling a service. So you had better be the best at what you do." He and his wife worked together in these operations and reared their two children to be responsible workers through the company. Herschel very seldom met a stranger. Anyone that met Herschel remembered him. He might not always remember their names when he met a person, but he always made conversation with them. Once you met Herschel, you usually did not forget him. He had a sly sense of humor that people were drawn to and was highly regarded by family and friends. Among Herschel's survivors are his wife and care-giver, Loretta Ruth Blalock-Duncan of 48 years, their daughter Cheryl Tabor and her husband Ralph Gary of Lincoln AR., and a son Jim Duncan of Lincoln AR. Herschel was blessed with four grandchildren, Brandon Tabor and his wife Andrea; Josh Tabor and his wife Tiffany; Duncan Tabor, and Jessica Tabor-Lassiter and her husband Chris of Normal IL. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Destiny Tabor, Maura Layne Tabor, and Kolden Tabor. Herschel is also survived by four brothers: Paul and his wife Doris of Nettleton MS; David of Tupelo MS; Philip of Booneville MS; Ralph and his wife Diane of Franklin TN; and two sisters: Cleora Brown of Tupelo MS and Sharon Baggett and her husband Larry of Fayetteville AR. Also surviving are several nieces and a nephew. Visitation is set for Sunday from 2 to 4pm on December 27, 2009 at Sisco Funeral Chapel. Funeral arrangements will be made by Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale with services set Monday, December 28, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. Pastor Tim Smith of the Fayetteville First Assembly of God Church will conduct the services. Burial will be in the Sonora Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to Washington Regional Hospice, 34 W. Colt Square, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.

Herschel Duncan

August 31, 1938 - December 21, 2009