Frank P. Hart Duncan

On a cold early morning of December 20th, 1939, Frank Payne Hart was born in his Grandmother Payne’s home in El Campo, Texas in her bed. After he was born, the doctor said, “you have another one!”. Frank’s parents, Wallace and Dorothy Hart, asked “What do you mean?”. He said “another baby is coming,” to which they were totally shocked. Previously, the doctor had told them the baby could weigh as much as 14 pounds, which was very frightening to Dorothy, as she was only 5 feet tall and 100 pounds. An hour and 45 minutes later, Lyle Webster Hart was born. The twins each weighed over 6 pounds and had been back to back so the doctor only heard one heartbeat. They were identical twins. Dorothy almost died giving birth to them as she started hemorrhaging and they gave her the wrong blood transfusion. She survived, but sadly their father Wallace died in an oil rig accident when the twins were 2 1/2 months old. They had a 15 month older brother Wallace Hampton Hart Jr. waiting for them to come home to. Their mother had to go to work and their Grandmother Payne, who they called Bommie, took care of the three Hart boys. Later, there was a short time war marriage and they had a daughter named Michele who was to be the only daughter in the family. Dorothy’s final marriage was to William (Bill) Duncan who she met at Ft. Dickinson where she was working during WWII. They had two boys, William (Billy) L. Duncan Jr. and Dennis G. Duncan. They became a family of eight. Bill was a professional photographer and taught photography in the Army. They were stationed at several places, one being Kaiserslautern, Germany during the 1950’s, which they enjoyed. The children all attended the American school there. They were able to visit many countries in Europe and especially liked Lake Lucerne, Switzerland. Their father was then sent to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Frank and Lyle attended and graduated from Butler High School in 1958 and joined the Army the same year.

Frank and Lyle went to see their mother, grandmother and two brothers in El Campo as often as they could while their father was in Korea. One evening when out cruising the big city of El Campo with friends, a carload of boys and a carload of girls stopped at a drive in when Frank’s brother and friends saw a girl and Frank asked, “Who is that girl?” One of his cousins, who knew her, said “That’s Norma Jean Meinardus.” Frank replied with certainty, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry!” The guys all laughed, but they did indeed marry, after a short engagement, a year later on August 11th, 1962.

After Frank and Jean were married they were blessed with the birth of three children: Yvonne, Frank Jr., and Rose. They moved many times during their marriage, living in numerous homes and neighborhoods in Austin, Cedar Park, and Leander, Texas.

Frank spent 8 years in the military stationed in many places including bases in California, Austin, and Kansas. He and Lyle did a hardship tour in South Korea, where they worked on the second largest radar in the world at the time. While in the military, Frank and Lyle attended radar repair school in New Jersey and worked on the Nike missiles in Austin. Following service in the Army, Frank continued to use his knowledge and skills in electronics, including working and owning his own electronics, TV, and stereo equipment repair business. Frank spent the last 17 years at Motorola as Section Manager of Semiconductor Thin Films, before retiring in 2001 at the age of 62.

Frank enjoyed hunting and fishing and traveling around the US with Jean with a motorcycle club known as the Austin Road Riders Association. He also loved cars and all kinds of pets including dogs, cats, and even birds…..all so numerous that everyone close to Frank has lost count! During their retirement years in Frankston, Texas, Frank loved helping all of his neighbors, fixing their lawn equipment and making sure everything was perfect, washed, and in tip-top shape. He even mowed neighbors yards and genuinely enjoyed helping others. He loved his church and belonged to the Methodist Men’s Group and did service projects in the community.

Frank’s lifelong partner in crime was his identical twin brother Lyle. They were rarely apart, living nearby and even working and enjoying retirement together for many years. Frank always said that he had a good life, a beautiful and loving wife, and amazing children that made him so proud. His wife Jean still says that Frank is the best man she has ever known. He will be dearly missed.

Frank is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Norma Jean Duncan, three children: Yvonne (John) Hanen, Frank (Denise) Hart Jr., and Rose (Charles) Westerman, six grand-children: Crystal, JW, Kelsey, Spencer, Amber, and Cameron, four great-grandchildren: Wesley, Annistyn, Ellie, and Penelope, and siblings: Wallace (Sharon) Duncan, Lyle (Cathy) Duncan, and Billy Duncan Jr., nephew Shane (Terry) Duncan and many other loving relatives and dear friends, and his faithful dog Chico.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 3, 2025

Frankston Methodist Church

110 S. Weldon St Frankston, TX 75763

10 a.m. Family Visitation

11 a.m. Service

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

● Any of your favorite charitable causes

● The Rainbow House Food Pantry

● CBN.com