Celebrating the life of
Max C. Duncan
June 17, 1921 - January 01, 2017
CAPT Max Carson Duncan, USN (Ret)
Max Carson Duncan, 95, passed away peacefully after a short illness on January 1, 2017, surrounded by family. Max was born in Avondale, NC, on June 17, 1921, to Dr. Amos C. Duncan and Belle Duncan. He was raised in Forest City, NC, and was active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. While attending kindergarten, he met his future wife and the love of his life, Trilby Hewitt.
After graduating from high school at age 15, Max attended The Citadel for one year until he was old enough to get an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated on December 19, 1941, with the Class of 1942. Max and Trilby married on December 14, 1943, and were married for 68 wonderful years until Trilby’s death in July 2012.
In WWII, Max served aboard the submarine USS BARB (SS-220) under the command of legendary Medal of Honor recipient, CDR Eugene B. Fluckey. The BARB achieved fame for sinking an Aircraft Carrier, penetrating China’s Nam Quan Harbor while sinking four ships and disrupting Japan’s shipping routes, firing the first ballistic missiles from a submarine at an enemy target, and sending men ashore to blow up a train - the only U.S. combat troops to conduct operations on the main islands of Japan in WWII. Max was awarded two Silver Stars and the Bronze Star with Combat V for his service on the BARB.
Max served 30 years in the Navy, retiring in 1972. He had 3 major commands: Submarine Tender USS Fulton, Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, and Naval Support Activity, Saigon, Vietnam.
Max and Trilby retired to Annapolis, MD, where they lived for the next 33 years. Max joined ARINC Research Corporation and served as Vice President. After retiring again in 1986, Trilby and Max traveled the world over while Max was active with the Friends of St. John’s College where he served as President for six years.
In 2005, Max and Trilby moved to The Marshes of Skidaway Island in Savannah, GA, to be closer to their daughter and her family. Max has always been active in Naval Academy class activities and was proud to have served as President of USNA Class of 1942 for the past several years.
Family meant everything to Max and he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Trilby D. (Tibby) Llewellyn, his son-in-law, Jonathan F. Llewellyn, his two granddaughters, Cristy Llewellyn Lawrence and Cathy Llewellyn, his grandsons-in-law, Brian Lawrence and Jason Brown, his three great grandchildren, Carson and Caroline Lawrence and Charlotte Llewellyn Brown, and many nieces and nephews.
His family members extend their heartfelt gratitude to his personal assistant Elizabeth (Liz) Taylor for her loving care and devotion to Max. We also want to thank Stephanie Johnson and her wonderful team of caregivers, especially Eugene Chisolm, for their assistance with his recent mobility issues.
Family visitation is scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2017, from 5 to 7pm at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel. A Memorial Service will be held at the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 11am with a reception to follow. Inurnment will follow in the spring in the Columbarium at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, 54 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411, or the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, 247 King George St, Annapolis, MD 21402.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
I had the great privilege of serving under Max Duncan in USS Fulton. He was and is one of the finest men I ever met and it is a source of immense pride that I can say that a man in whom I held in the greatest awe was, is and always will be a very dear friend
- Paul Freirich , Silver Spring , MD
Max was my physics instructor at the Naval Academy. He was a good friend of my dad, Radm Walter Welham, a submarine medical officer. Dad was Gene Fluckey's nest door neighbor in Makalapa while Gene was ComSubPac. Max was a great submariner, teacher, friend and fellow USNA class President. RIP Walt
- Walt Welham, Jr, Ft. Belvoir, VA
To Max's daughter, Trilby, and her family I express my sorrow for the passing of Max. Max and I worked together for over ten years at Arinc and I had a great deal of admiration for him. May God rest his soul. John McCormick
- John McCormick, Severna park, MD
If my memory serves me right, and it is not as good as it used to be, Max was my first Squadron Commander. COMSUBRON Four on the Howard W. Gilmore at Pier N in Charleston, SC. He impressed me as a junior officer by inviting the Wardroom Officers and their weives to a social gathering in his cabin on the Gilmore to meet everyone and welcome them to the Squadron. I later became the Squadron Communicator/Asst Ops Officer but I believe Max had been relieved. His welcoming and personable actions made a young submarine officer and his new wife immediately feel like a member of a warm family. I know that all the officers and their wives felt the same and greatly appreciated his welcome.
- CDR William R. Iber, USN (ret), Springfield, VA
Speaking for the Submarine Veterans of the USSVI Tarheel base, we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Max Duncan. His service to this country is to be revered for many generations. He is considered a hero to all submarine veterans. Sailor, rest your oar....We have the watch. Chaplain Gene Rutter USSVI Tarheel Base
- Gene Rutter, Raleigh, NC
OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO ONE WHO STOOD BY HIS COUNTRY IN IT'S TIME OF NEED. WELL DONE! MAX, FROM THOSE WHO SURVIVED. HARRY & RUTH
- Knutson, Harry and Ruth, Savannah,
Never knew Max personally but his WWII story on BARB was a reminder of why I went to SubSchool in 1959. "Profunde Cogitate"
- Jack, Fairfield, Ca
So sorry to hear of Max's passing. God Speed Mr. Max!! We will miss you at Memorial Medical Associates. Your sweet demeanor and good nature will be sorely missed.
- Theresa Vincent, Savannah, GA
Dear Tibby and Family: Our hearts go out to all of you with the passing of your dear father, grandfather and great grandfather, Max. He was such a special man, and we always so enjoyed his company. He had the best stories to tell, and he always treated us like family. We will miss him immensely, but we know he is now reunited with his "doll", Trilby, and he is happy in the glory of heaven. Love to you all.
- Rick and Gloria Taylor, Hilton Head Island, SC
I was privileged to meet and serve under him in his last year as President of The Friends of St. John's College here and a few years later succeeded him as President. I may have been his sponsor in joining the New Providence Club of Annapolis where I saw him regularly for lunches,always enjoying his company and learning so much from him, such a wonderful man and friend. Forever grateful, Chuck Trefrey.
- Charles S. Trefrey, Annapolis, MD.
I am deeply sorry to hear of Mr.Max passsing. I had the pleasure of being his stylist at the Marshes. He was a good man..God's speed Mr. Max.
- Penny Gibson, Savannah , Ga
Max's death brings to a close his remarkable career that lasted I am sure to his final breath. He was the resource that kept the history of USS BARB alive for all of us who did not serve in World War II. I had the opportunity to learn from him the stories of how the rocket launcher was able to fire on the Japanese home land and was the precursor of putting missiles on submarines. He also provided "the rest of the story" of why the SEALs today use the eight man team in performing their missions. The BARB had two four man life rafts to send the raiding party ashore to blow up the train. Max was the resource that kept the crew together when Admiral Fluckey was sponsoring the trips for his crew until he could no longer attend them. He will be missed. Fortunately we have videos and interviews so that his legacy will remain.
- Mickey Garverick, Fairfax, VA
Served with Captain Duncan on USS Dogfish SS350 when I was a young sailor. His leadership and guidance helped me in becoming a better sailor and human being. You remember skippers like the Captain and are grateful for having served with him. My sincere condolences to your family.
- Francis L. Warren, ETCM(SS) Ret., Virginia Beach, VA
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Captain Duncan. I had the honor of working with Captain Duncan over the last couple of years in matters relating to his USNA Class of 1942. He was a passionate and committed supporter of his alma mater. For that I will be forever grateful as he always made my work that much more enjoyable. He will be deeply missed but will remain a powerful example of a life well lived. Please know that he leaves an unparalleled legacy of service and engagement that will continue to inspire.
- Holly Powers, Annapolis , MD
Revelation 21:3,4
- Jehovah's Witnesses, Pooler, GA
I had the great privilege of serving under Max Duncan in USS Fulton. He was and is one of the finest men I ever met and it is a source of immense pride that I can say that a man in whom I held in the greatest awe was, is and always will be a very dear friend
- Paul Freirich , Silver Spring , MD
Max was my physics instructor at the Naval Academy. He was a good friend of my dad, Radm Walter Welham, a submarine medical officer. Dad was Gene Fluckey's nest door neighbor in Makalapa while Gene was ComSubPac. Max was a great submariner, teacher, friend and fellow USNA class President. RIP Walt
- Walt Welham, Jr, Ft. Belvoir, VA
To Max's daughter, Trilby, and her family I express my sorrow for the passing of Max. Max and I worked together for over ten years at Arinc and I had a great deal of admiration for him. May God rest his soul. John McCormick
- John McCormick, Severna park, MD
If my memory serves me right, and it is not as good as it used to be, Max was my first Squadron Commander. COMSUBRON Four on the Howard W. Gilmore at Pier N in Charleston, SC. He impressed me as a junior officer by inviting the Wardroom Officers and their weives to a social gathering in his cabin on the Gilmore to meet everyone and welcome them to the Squadron. I later became the Squadron Communicator/Asst Ops Officer but I believe Max had been relieved. His welcoming and personable actions made a young submarine officer and his new wife immediately feel like a member of a warm family. I know that all the officers and their wives felt the same and greatly appreciated his welcome.
- CDR William R. Iber, USN (ret), Springfield, VA
Speaking for the Submarine Veterans of the USSVI Tarheel base, we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Max Duncan. His service to this country is to be revered for many generations. He is considered a hero to all submarine veterans. Sailor, rest your oar....We have the watch. Chaplain Gene Rutter USSVI Tarheel Base
- Gene Rutter, Raleigh, NC
OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO ONE WHO STOOD BY HIS COUNTRY IN IT'S TIME OF NEED. WELL DONE! MAX, FROM THOSE WHO SURVIVED. HARRY & RUTH
- Knutson, Harry and Ruth, Savannah,
Never knew Max personally but his WWII story on BARB was a reminder of why I went to SubSchool in 1959. "Profunde Cogitate"
- Jack, Fairfield, Ca
So sorry to hear of Max's passing. God Speed Mr. Max!! We will miss you at Memorial Medical Associates. Your sweet demeanor and good nature will be sorely missed.
- Theresa Vincent, Savannah, GA
Dear Tibby and Family: Our hearts go out to all of you with the passing of your dear father, grandfather and great grandfather, Max. He was such a special man, and we always so enjoyed his company. He had the best stories to tell, and he always treated us like family. We will miss him immensely, but we know he is now reunited with his "doll", Trilby, and he is happy in the glory of heaven. Love to you all.
- Rick and Gloria Taylor, Hilton Head Island, SC
I was privileged to meet and serve under him in his last year as President of The Friends of St. John's College here and a few years later succeeded him as President. I may have been his sponsor in joining the New Providence Club of Annapolis where I saw him regularly for lunches,always enjoying his company and learning so much from him, such a wonderful man and friend. Forever grateful, Chuck Trefrey.
- Charles S. Trefrey, Annapolis, MD.
I am deeply sorry to hear of Mr.Max passsing. I had the pleasure of being his stylist at the Marshes. He was a good man..God's speed Mr. Max.
- Penny Gibson, Savannah , Ga
Max's death brings to a close his remarkable career that lasted I am sure to his final breath. He was the resource that kept the history of USS BARB alive for all of us who did not serve in World War II. I had the opportunity to learn from him the stories of how the rocket launcher was able to fire on the Japanese home land and was the precursor of putting missiles on submarines. He also provided "the rest of the story" of why the SEALs today use the eight man team in performing their missions. The BARB had two four man life rafts to send the raiding party ashore to blow up the train. Max was the resource that kept the crew together when Admiral Fluckey was sponsoring the trips for his crew until he could no longer attend them. He will be missed. Fortunately we have videos and interviews so that his legacy will remain.
- Mickey Garverick, Fairfax, VA
Served with Captain Duncan on USS Dogfish SS350 when I was a young sailor. His leadership and guidance helped me in becoming a better sailor and human being. You remember skippers like the Captain and are grateful for having served with him. My sincere condolences to your family.
- Francis L. Warren, ETCM(SS) Ret., Virginia Beach, VA
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Captain Duncan. I had the honor of working with Captain Duncan over the last couple of years in matters relating to his USNA Class of 1942. He was a passionate and committed supporter of his alma mater. For that I will be forever grateful as he always made my work that much more enjoyable. He will be deeply missed but will remain a powerful example of a life well lived. Please know that he leaves an unparalleled legacy of service and engagement that will continue to inspire.
- Holly Powers, Annapolis , MD
Revelation 21:3,4
- Jehovah's Witnesses, Pooler, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
