Parker Warden Duncan Jr., a Nashville attorney, passed away on June 6, 2024 after a short illness. He was 82.
The son of Parker Warden Duncan and Mary Dodson Duncan, Parker was born in Monticello, Ky.
The Duncans lived briefly in Frankfort, Ky. while Parker’s father served on the Kentucky Supreme Court. When Justice Duncan retired from the court for health reasons, the Duncans moved to Bowling Green, Ky. where Parker attended College High, graduating in 1960.
Parker attended Virginia Military Institute, and was Valedictorian of the class of 1964. He deferred his military service so that he could attend Yale Law School, graduating in 1967.
After training at Fort Knox, he was stationed in Fort Irwin, Ca., rising to the rank of Captain.
After his Army discharge, he returned to Kentucky to join the Louisville-based law firm now known as Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs, where he specialized in business and acquisition law.
In 1989, his firm acquired the Nashville firm of Gilbert and Milam, and Parker was dispatched to Nashville to oversee the transition. A mutual friend, Ellen Pollack, introduced him to a local journalist, Sandra Roberts. They married in 1990, and Parker subsequently moved his practice to Nashville.
Parker retired in 2008, and although he loved the practice of law, he loved retirement as well. In addition to wonderful trips to Europe and hiking trips in National Parks, Parker and Sandra spent many weeks every year in Tybee Island, Ga., where they had a weather-worn condo. After 12 years and one hurricane, they sold their beach place and bought a cabin in Monteagle.
Closer to home, Parker spent several years as a volunteer for CASA – Court Appointed Advocates for Children. He loved talking with friends on his regular trips to the Green Hills YMCA, visiting his daughter and her family in Louisville, as well as catching up with his VMI “Brother Rats” at their monthly lunches. Just this April, he attended his 60th college reunion.
In addition to his parents, Parker was predeceased by two brothers, John, who died in childhood, and Kelly, who died in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Roberts; a sister, Mary Nell McGary and brother, Tom Duncan (Pat) all of Lexington, Ky.; daughter Kristen Kelly DeClive-Lowe (Ian) of Louisville, and their sons Liam and Oliver; son Parker Andrew Duncan Diaz (Paola) of Santa Rosa, Ca., and their sons Nathan and Justin; sisters-in-law Pam Duncan (Julian Romagnoli) of New Smyrna Beach, Fl. and Beverly Gaventa (Bill) of Austin, Tx.; and dear cousin David Cavanah (Sandy) of Hopkinsville, Ky., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Sincere thanks to Ray and Cass Meeks, Dr. Parag Patel, and the Cardiac ICU team at TriStar Centennial for their kindness and care.
A visitation will be held at Woodlawn Roesch Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane on Tuesday, June 11, from 12-3 PM, with brief remarks at 2 PM. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CASA, the Green Hills YMCA or your favorite charity.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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