Clark Brent Duncan

Clark Brent Duncan, 81, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Des Moines from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

He was born in West Plains, Missouri, to Annalue and Seldon Duncan, and was one of six children. He spent most of his life in Iowa but lived in Kansas and Arkansas in his earlier years.

Clark began his career in the United States Navy where he served on a nuclear carrier. After his service in the Vietnam War, he returned to Des Moines to work at his family’s paint business, Duncan Paint company, where he was in sales. After the business was sold, he worked for Homeland Security for eighteen years in Bentonville, Arkansas, before retiring and returning to Norwalk, Iowa. Clark was deeply interested in history, obtaining a double major in Business and History from Simpson College. He was also a faithful and dedicated follower of Jesus Christ throughout his life.

Clark’s first wife was Trudy (Pace) Duncan who died of cancer in 1986, and then remarried Barbara Hughes in 1987. The family grew to a blended family of nine living in Martensdale, Iowa, and he loved all of the family deeply.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of Norwalk, Iowa; children Christine (Robert) Caudle of Ellsworth, Iowa; Rodney (Nichole) Hughes of Bentonville, Arkansas; Eric (Amy) Hughes of Martensdale, Iowa; Erica (Tyler) Batten of Lancaster, New York; Rebecca (Jake) Cooper of Bucyrus, Kansas; Phillip (Stephania) Duncan of Dallas, Texas; and Jeffery Hughes of Norwalk, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; brothers Michael and Hal; and his sisters Linda, Shelly, and Elaine.

Clark is preceded in death by parents, Seldon and Annalue Duncan; and first wife Trudy (Pace) Duncan.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday May 24, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions can be made on Clark’s behalf to VA Central Iowa Healthcare System Hospice Center (https://www.va.gov/central-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/#volunteer-or-donate) and Lutheran Church of Hope+Elim. (https://hope-elim.lutheranchurchofhope.org/give/)

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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Lesley Call nee (Duncan)

05/16/2025

My smart, funny, kind, generous cousin leaves a big space in our family, maybe the universe. I've looked up to him my whole life and loved every moment spent with him, Barb and the Duncan/Webb clan. He always came with gifts and jumped right in to make our gatherings special. We looked forward to special cottage cheese from Iowa, often a watermelon, and always sausage to make the best biscuits and gravy. There was only one time when he failed in his culinary art...the prune ice cream just didn't work. Sorry, Clark, but I know that you agreed. I can still see the look on your face. And, no one can forget his pet pig, what was his name? Enormous as he was, still as a stone, snoring away. It was still a treat to visit him. Clark lived life big, and I'm sure that my mom and dad are eagerly awaiting him with so many of my family. Love to you all.

Timothy Limbert

05/14/2025

I am so sorry to hear of Clark's passing. I am the son of Trudy's cousin Kathy (Pace) Sorbe. I didn't know Clark well, but I do remember him from a number of Pace family gatherings over the decades, and I have good memories of his smile, friendliness and sense of humor. He will definitely be missed and remembered.

Katie

12/14/2024

"I pray that as the months and years pass, you find peace in the beautiful memories you all made as a blended family”