George "Buddy" Crowe Duncan, 86, of Morganfield, KY, formerly of Madisonville, KY, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023, at his home.

He was born on July 7, 1937, in Madisonville, KY, to the late Jewell Crowe Duncan and George Noble Duncan. He was a 1955 graduate from Madisonville High School. He then enlisted in the United States Navy on September 11, 1956, and after training in Great Lakes, IL, Norman, OK, and Millington, TN, was assigned to N.A.S. North Island, CA. While there, he was in VAAW-35 and VAW-11 and served as an aircraft mechanic aboard the aircraft carriers, USS Hancock, Ranger, Shangri La, Hornet, Yorktown, and Bennington with the Seventh Fleet. George married Shigeko Kuroda of Himeji City, Japan, on July 14, 1960, at the American Consulate in Yokohama, Japan. After an honorable discharge as an aviation machinist mate, 3rd Class Petty Officer, on May 11, 1961, George and Shigeko returned to Madisonville, KY, and worked in the family restaurant business.

George then enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 7, 1962, and trained in electronic counter measures, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, working on various models of B-52 aircraft, as well as the SR-71 and U-2. He served as combat aircrew man flying aboard an RC-1355 model aircraft, with duties requiring top-security clearance with an EBI and SSIR. He was stationed both in the United States and overseas Air Force bases. George retired and was honorably discharged as a Senior Master Sergeant on February 1, 1981.

He received the following military awards and decorations: Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Commendation Medal with three oak leaf cluster, Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters, one with Valor, Combat Readiness, Good Conduct with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Air Force Longevity with three oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, NCO Professional Military Education with oak leaf cluster, Aircrew Wings, Master Technician Badge, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct, and Longevity.

After two years of schooling in Weights and Measures and Manufacturing Technology at Yuba College in Marysville, CA, George worked as a communications technician at the United States Army Depot in Sacramento, CA. He was transferred to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY in 1993, and worked as an electronic technician until August 1996. As a Department of Defense employee, he was awarded numerous Army Outstanding Performance awards and Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award of the Year, Marquez Civilian Technician Award, 20th Air Force and HQ Space Command Outstanding Civilian of the Year Award for 1994.

In June of 2013, George and Shigeko moved to Morganfield, KY, to be closer to family. George belonged to the Masonic Lodge 143, was a 32nd degree Mason of Scottish Rites of Madisonville, KY, a member of the VAAW-35 Association, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and the Cheyenne Rifle and Pistol Club, Brothers Vietnam of Cheyenne, the Harley Owners Group, Riders Association of Triumph, and was the Wyoming coordinator for the National Veterans Awareness Ride.

He enjoyed hunting, weapons, chess, model building, reading, and motorcycling. George was a member of the First Christian Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Susan Nichols of Madisonville and Barbara Trowbridge of Sullivan.

Survivors include his wife, Shigeko Duncan of Morganfield; sister, Cecilia Gooch of Grand Rivers, KY; nieces and nephews, Janet (Wayne) Gass, Kenny (Rosemary) Trowbridge, Bobby (Jeanie) Trowbridge, Vicky Welborn, and Patti (Jimmy) Hughes; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Odd Fellows Cemetery with Father John McNeil Thomas officiating. Military honors will be performed by the Hopkins County Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. on Monday in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville.