Earl John Duncan Earl John Duncan, 67, of Cedarville, a longtime school administrator and coach, was called “a true leader and friend to the Cedarville school.” Mr. Duncan died Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at his home.

He was born December 23, 1942, in Sault Ste. Marie, to Earl Jay and Nona Marie (nee Hartman) Duncan.

Mr. Duncan grew up in Cedarville and was graduated from Cedarville High School in 1960. He was graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned a master’s degree in administration in 1967. His first teaching job was in Brimley, where Mr. Duncan taught general science, biology, and chemistry, and where he coached for two years. He moved back to Cedarville and taught for two years before becoming high school principal. In 1997, he retired from the Les Cheneaux Community Schools, where he was athletic director for 28 years and worked with some 1,000 students.

He was involved in the promotion of interscholastic athletics in Cedarville throughout his career. In 1975, he was instrumental in getting the school’s new gymnasium built and in 1997, the facility was named the John Duncan Gymnasium.

Mr. Duncan served on the Michigan High School Athletic Association Representative Council for 12 years, was a member of the U.P. Athletic Committee for 20 years, was named U.P. High School Principal of the Year in 1994 and, received the prestigious John Forsythe Award in 1993 for his outstanding and distinctive service to Michigan interscholastic athletic programs.

Calling Mr. Duncan a leader and true friend to the school, former teacher Jean Schroeder also said, “He focused on education for every student.”

“John was charismatic, opinionated, difficult, loyal, and funny,” said former superintendent Ken Drenth. “You knew whre you stood with John and he didn’t spare any words.”

In 1969, Mr. Duncan helped build the original Doghouse Restaurant in Cedarville and it stayed in the Duncan family for more than 30 years.

He was a member of the Hessel Presbyterian Church, Ducks Unlimited, Islands Wildlife Association, Les Cheneaux Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, and a former Mackinac County road commissioner.

During retirement, he enjoyed taking care of Church Hill Farm, going to duck blinds and deer camp with his sons and grandsons, running his fox hounds in Kentucky and Michigan, riding his horses, relaxing in Florida, woodcarving birds, dogs, and Santa figures, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events. It was with great pride that he watched the Trojans basketball team coached by his son win the Class D State Championship in 2007.

Mr. Duncan is survived by his wife, Carol M. (nee Rye); a daughter and her family, Tami Duncan and George Tschirhart of Cedarville; two sons and their families, Kurt and Mary Duncan, and David and Sonja Duncan, all of Cedarville; and grandchildren and their families, Paul and Carolyn BeDour, Matt, Jenna, Jordan, Jason, Jessie, and Joey Duncan, Jillian Collins, and Gina Augugliaro. Also surviving are a sister and her family, Susie and Jim Martin of Cedarville; a niece and her family, Maria and Austin Harrison; a nephew, Duncan Martin; and a brother-in-law and his family, Glenn and Sue Rye of Hessel.

Visitation was Thursday, August 19, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, and Friday, August 20, at 11:30 a.m. at the school in Cedarville. Services were Friday at 1 p.m. in the John Duncan Gymnasium at Les Cheneaux Community Schools in Cedarville. Bagpipe music led the procession. His grandsons served as pallbearers and the Reverend Judith Arnold of Hessel Presbyterian officiated. Eulogies were presented by Jillian Collins, David Murray, Ken Drenth, Jean Schroeder, and Bob Smith, reading a tribute on behalf of Mr. Duncan’s children.

Burial was in Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hessel Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 301, Hessel, MI 49745 or Les Cheneaux Community Schools Athletic Department, P.O. Box 366, Cedarville, MI 49719.