Bert "Bud" Clayton Duncan

Bud Duncan went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Oct 3, 2026.

Bert Clayton “Bud” Duncan was born November 21, 1931, in Conrad, Montana. He was the 11th of 12 children born to Oscar and Minnie Duncan. He grew up mostly on the Duncan ranch 34 miles east of Conrad. He attended various country schools, also one year in California with his grandparents and older brother. The most cherished country school was the Selma School where he attended as did his four children and many other family members.

Bud went into the army in 1949, serving in Japan from April 1949 to April 1952. He liked Japan and made friends there as well as lifelong friends in the army. Following his discharge, he came back to the Conrad area working on various farms and ranches as well as the Pondera County Road department.

In January of 1954, he married Elizabeth “Bettye” Ann Davis. They raised 4 children together on the Duncan farm east of Conrad, building on Minnie’s original homestead site. They leased, then purchased the property from his parents. Bettye Ann tragically passed away in 1983.

Agriculture and being a good farmer were something he was proud of and knew a lot about. Being a diversified farmer, he also raised cattle and hogs. In the fall, there was always the annual hunt for game. Packing back into the Bob Marshall Wilderness was a yearly event. Summer was also a prime time to pack into the wilderness and enjoy fishing with whoever could go.

Alaska, he loved his multiple trips to Alaska where he visited his son and nephews. Those nephews were as attracted to gold mining as much as he was. He took two of his grandsons on his Alaskan adventures. He was an avid reader of most reading material, especially history, in particular military history. In later years, he watched movies and tv about the military. He seemed to never tire of military history.

Bud was a life member of the VFW in Conrad. He loved history, airplanes, and military memorabilia. He even built a small plane but never flew it. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, teaching his children and some grandchildren, as well as a handful of nephews.

It has been said a Duncan never knew a stranger and Bud was one of those people.

All of his grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren were important to him. He relished mentoring his older grandsons and quite a few nephews, even great-nephews, and included several young families in his church.

After Bettye Ann’s passing, Bud connected with an old school friend, Barbara Witt Colewell. They were married in June of 1986. They lived on the Missouri River west of Cascade for many years, retiring to Great Falls.

After he accepted Christ as his savior, he became very involved in his church in Cascade. He and Barbara hosted a weekly Bible study for many years in their home.

Bud is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Claudia Duncan, Maria (David) Cates, Clayton Duncan, and Ronald (Jodi) Duncan; 11 grandchildren, Seth Johnson, Paige (Bjorn) Swanson, Luke (Andrea) Thisselle, Nadine (Jeremiah) Thisselle Habets, Dirk (Amanda) Elings, Mardi Elings, Keith Duncan, David Duncan, Breyn (Joe) Maxwell, Dustin (Brie) Hovde, and Brittani (Jeff) Thompson; and 13 great-grandchildren, Sienna Weisgram, Zion Swanson, Zane and Asher Thisselle, Scotlyn and Soren Elings, Amara Duncan, Westyn McCallum, Vadya and Vyolet Maxwell, Cash, Ella, and Bridger Thompson, and Trenton and Anson Hovde; many nieces and nephews; as well as good friend, Doug (Mindy) Nichols and family, especially Abby.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar. and Minnie Duncan; his first wife, Bettye Ann; 5 brothers, Maynard, Delwin Lyall, Kenny, and Earl; 6 sisters, LaVeave, Gladys, Ora, Alice, Marge, and Annabell; sons-in-law, Doug Thisselle and Gordon Elings; and great-grandson, Trypp Maxwell.

Bud’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11 am at the Conrad Mission Church in Conrad. If you desire, memorials can be sent to the Conrad VFW organization.