Mr. Dennis Duncan

Dennis Gale Duncan, 71, passed from this life with his family by his side on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 at his home in Henderson, TX, after a long fight with Parkinson's Disease. Dennis was born in Henderson, TX on Jan. 24, 1943 to the late Troy Duncan and Lois Holland Duncan. Dennis was the big brother of Debra Duncan Thedford, married to Dwaine Thedford, and he was big brother to the late Jerry Glenn Duncan and wife, Jan. Dennis started school at Carlisle Elementary and in the 8th grade transferred to Henderson High School where he graduated in 1961. Dennis ran track in Henderson and still holds a track record for the 100 yard dash in 9.4 seconds. Dennis and his Lions teammates also set the quarter-mile relay record at the UIL State track meet in 1961. After graduation, Dennis attended Northwestern State University in Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science Degree focusing on Physical Education. There he played for two years with the Demons. Dennis was drafted by the Oakland Raiders of the AFL in 1965 and then signed with Toronto of the CFL. From there, he signed with the Houston Oilers and was on the practice squad for the 1967 season and played in four exhibition games in 1968. The next phase in his football career was a call to Canada where he began a 4-year career in the CFL. There he played with Montreal and won a Grey Cup, the CFL's equivalent of a Super Bowl, in 1970. Dennis rushed for 1,037 yards in 1969 on his way to being named a CFL ALL-STAR, and was also named an all-star following the 1971 season in which he played for Ottawa. The 1,037 yards is currently 19th on the all-time single season rushing list in Montreal history. In four years and 52 games in Canada, Dennis ran for more than 3,000 yards. Dennis married the love of his life, Dixie Bates of Overton, TX on November 21, 1975 in Kilgore. They were married 39 years. Dennis and Dixie had 5 children. Eric and his wife Kelsie Bell of Gilmer; Dennis, Jr. and wife Kim of Des Moines, IA. Daughter Jena and husband Joe Williams of Henderson; daughter Jana and Cris Castaneda of Kilgore; and his baby girl, Melanie and husband Bryan Stillwell of Henderson. Dennis had 15 grandkids: Christian and Olivia Duncan, Cassie, Carlie, and Caylie Copeland, Beau Frost, Gage and Tucker Stillwell, Cason and Cruz Castaneda, Ty and Ridge Williams, Jase Bell, Jaden Green, and Landrie Baker. After his football career, Dennis had many interests and talents as he worked on the Alaskan Pipeline, was a Real Estate Broker and Developer, Insurance Agent, and Beloved Coach. In celebration of his life, services will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 3, 2014 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Henderson with Rev. Johnny Newton officiating. A graveside committal service will follow at Duncan Family Cemetery in Good Springs, TX. Family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Sunday, November 2, 2014 at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Chaney Howeth, Dwaine Thedford, Jimmy Bates, Joe Williams, Bryan Stillwell, and Cris Castaneda. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Holland, Ray Stuart, Larry Stuart, Jimmy Montgomery, Dewayne Gibbs, John Thompson, and Anthony Martin. Condolences may be made online at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. Dennis Duncan

January 24, 1943 - October 29, 2014