Kenneth Lee Duncan

Kenneth Lee Duncan Jr. was born to Kenneth and Genevieve Duncan on January 22, 1947 in Boulder City, Nevada. The Duncan family would move to Centerville, Utah, when he was just 3 years old. His family always loved hearing Lee’s stories about growing up in early Centerville and how idyllic it was for an aspiring cowboy. He spent his childhood outside riding horses, exploring the local mountain ranges and getting into mischief. Knowing this about Lee’s childhood, his family was always surprised that he didn’t end up in some cowboy life out on the range.

He was a proud graduate of Davis High School, class of 1965, where he loved playing football and baseball for the Darts. Throughout his life, Lee would always proudly stand and sing the school song as the DHS band marched by in local parades and during sporting events.

During his short time at Snow College after high school, he was the president of the rodeo club until he was bucked off his horse in front of the club members. He would later laugh about this humbling moment. Like so many experiences in his life, that moment would shape Lee and develop in him a grit that would serve him well. Lee served as a pillar of strength and example to all of us on how to navigate through tough times with a Christ-like humble attitude and grateful heart.

Lee had the honor of serving his country in the U.S. Army from June 1966 to May 1968. While stationed in Italy, he excelled at typing a whopping 22 words a minute and was honored as an expert rifle marksman, among other military honors.

After his Army service, he made the greatest and smartest decision of his life by convincing Laurel Forsberg to be his eternal companion. Through his words and actions, he always made it clear to his family that she was THE love of his life. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on May 1st, 1969. It wouldn’t be long before they welcomed 5 beautiful children into their little home; Kristy, Nicole, Amy, Kenneth and Lisa.

Lee and Laurel enjoyed an amazing life together, full of family adventures. Among the many activities, the family enjoyed boating in all the different Utah lakes, Jeep off-roading, snowmobiling, snow-skiing, and of course, long Sunday drives with the family... all with classic country music playing in the background. He loved anything that required reading a map to find that interesting less-known little town or landmark that has a great back-story and a Coke Zero pit stop.

Lee was unconditionally kind to all. His family would always say that you couldn’t go anywhere in public with Dad and not stop several times to have a conversation with an old friend. He was loved and admired by so so many. Throughout his adult life in Centerville, he would lend his leadership time and skills to serve on the city council, planning & zoning commission, multiple HOA boards, the Bountiful Jeep posse, Centerville baseball organization, and his local LDS ward.

He spent countless hours serving the youth of the church. It’s hard to fathom the number of young men he impacted as a young men’s leader in the Centerville 6th ward. Throughout his older life he would accept the opportunity to serve as a councilor in the bishopric of both the Centerville 6th ward and a YSA ward, St George temple worker and service missionary at the conference center on temple square with his sweetheart, Laurel.

If you aren’t already a friend of Lee’s it is simply because you have not yet met him. His level of dedication and love to his family and friends was unmatched, and served as an example to everyone that knew him. Lee enjoyed many great friendships throughout his life. He had a unique ability to relate and develop relationships that felt genuine and special and would bring out the best in everyone he knew. His warm character was so easy to love, always slow to anger and quick to forgive and love. A highlight of his friendships include the time he spent golfing with his buddies and planning out the next great Razor adventure in southern Utah with Laurel and their amazing friend group. They enjoyed so many great adventures together.

Most people that associated with Lee knew him as a community leader and business owner. He was the second generation owner-operator of Duncan Electric, located on old Main street in Bountiful for most of it’s 75 year history. Lee had begun working with his own father, Kenneth, in the business when he was a young teenager, wiring homes, and later becoming a Journeyman Electrician. The lighting business was what Lee knew and loved through his long career. Being a people person, he was especially, talented at working directly with the customers and contractors. He and his brother Kim would successfully run the family business together, lending their skills and leadership to the growing local building industry. Later, he felt incredibly blessed to work with his own son, Ken, in the business. Lee always appreciated and was grateful for all the amazing employees that he was able to work with over the years.

If you asked those that knew Lee best, his most import work was done within his own private family life. He was adored by his children, 25 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. His later years were spent traveling around with Laurel, supporting their family’s various sporting events, dance competitions, or any other interest they had. He was the eternal good sport in sharing his time to support those around him. Lee was incredibly generous with his skills and loved to jump into any home project that needed an extra set of hands. He was a natural handy man. Whether he could fix it or not, he would give it his best try, including an unreasonable number trips to Ace Hardware.

Lee and Laurel enjoyed the last several years as the care-takers and honorary farm hands up at Kelly & Nicole Farmer’s property in Burley Idaho. Together, they loved the time there in a slower-paced slice of heaven. As he has throughout his life, Lee loved to be useful. He loved operating the large farm equipment and tractors and helping work the land. He loved and appreciated that connection with the earth, and his time with Laurel.

Lee passed away on January 18th, 2025, surrounded by Laurel and his children. Lee’s life was a legacy that we all feel grateful to have been a part of. He will be missed and remembered with much love until we have the blessing of meeting up with the old cowboy again on heaven’s back nine.

Lee is survived by his wife, Laurel, and 5 children: Kristy Hess (Scott), Nicole Farmer (Kelly), Amy Nicol (Loran), Ken Duncan (Jessica), Lisa Kurtz (Brad), 25 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He is proceeded in death by his parents and sister Meledie Gregory.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Steed Creek Chapel, 347 South 200 West, Farmington, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, and Friday morning 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment- Centerville City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.