Lyle Lester Duncan

Lyle Lester Duncan, 86 year old native of Siskiyou County, passed away on December 23, in Chico after a brief illness. Lyle, the youngest of eight children, was born on September 25, 1932 at the Dunsmuir Hospital to John and Hazel Duncan. Lyle attended elementary schools in Dunsmuir, Hornbrook, Kennett, Snowdon, Floriston and Maxwell. He attended Yreka High School briefly, before his family moved to McCloud (Car A) and Dunsmuir in his late teens. Lyle graduated from Dunsmuir High in 1950. During his senior year, he was captain of the undefeated Dunsmuir High football team. His love of sports eventually led him to a career in coaching, particularly girls softball. His daughters to be would play on several of his teams. Like his brothers, Lyle joined the military. On Pear Harbor Day, 1950, he joined the United States Navy and was assigned to Military Intelligence. He was stateside for most of the Korean Conflict (1950 to 1953). His most interesting duty was during the early years of Project Blue Book, and investigation into UFOs. His uncle, Pacific WWII General John Cooley of the 1st Marine Division, had arranged for Lyle to attend the Naval Officers Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Having obtained very high scores, his imperfect eye sight did not allow him to accept the position. Lyle finished his hitch with the Navy on September 3, 1954. One year later, he married his longtime sweetheart, Margie Ellen Dorrell of Dunsmuir. Over the next 63 years of their marriage, they lived in many places, including Dunsmuir, Lake Shastina, Mount Shasta, Chico, Sacramento and Hawaii. His primary employment was education and accounting. One of his favorite past times was playing pinochle with his wife Margie, his brother Bill and sister-in-law Darlene. Lyle is survived by his wife Margie; four daughters and their husbands, Patti (and Marty) Schneider, Suzie (and Steven) Spehling, Sandy (and Ken) Husband, Kim (and Clay) Forbes, twelve grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers, John Jr., Edward and William, and his four sisters Bertha, Laura, Patricia and Constance. Funeral Services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019 in Chico, California. Burial and graveside services with full military honors will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Henley-Hornbrook Cemetery in Hornbrook, California.

Lyle Lester Duncan

September 25, 1932 - December 23, 2018