SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 281
In Memory
of
John Belton Duncan Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of John Belton Duncan Jr., who died
February 5, 2019, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, John Duncan was born on November 17, 1936, in
Haskell, to John Belton Duncan Sr. and Lucille Kendall Duncan; he
graduated from Haskell High School in 1955, where he was a senior
class officer and captain of the football team; and
WHEREAS, He graduated from Austin College in 1959 and went
on to earn a doctorate at Tulane University as part of an advanced
economics program of the United States Department of State; he
taught economics at Xavier University, Loyola University, and
Austin College, and in 1965, he joined the faculty of Texas Tech
University, where he was a leader in the faculty movement against
the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, he was named executive director of the
Texas Civil Liberties Union, and he moved with his family to
Austin; over the course of his service with the organization, he
earned a reputation as a staunch advocate for social justice and
equal opportunity and became known as someone who could work
effectively with both sides of the political aisle; and
WHEREAS, He joined the Office of the Comptroller of Public
Accounts in 1985 as director of the legislative analysis group,
and he later served with the Texas Public Utilities Commission
under Commissioners Jo Campbell and Robert Gee; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Duncan and his first wife, Sara Holderbaum,
were blessed with a daughter, Jennifer Rebecca Duncan, in 1968;
he later married Becky Beaver and they became the parents of
twins, William Andrew Duncan and James Matthew Duncan; his
children and his granddaughter, Chloe Sanders, were a source of
much pride and joy for him; and
WHEREAS, A man of strength, wisdom, and generosity, he gave
unselfishly to others, and his commitment to public service, his
courage in the face of adversity, and his enthusiasm for living
each day to the fullest will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by all
who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of John Belton Duncan Jr.; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of John Duncan.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 27, 2019,
by a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate