Donald Keith Duncan

Donald Keith "D.K." Duncan, CD, (1940 – September 17, 2020) was a Jamaican dental surgeon and politician, representing the People's National Party (PNP). He served as Minister of National Mobilization & Human Resource Development (1977–1980).[1]

Donald Keith Duncan

CD
Minister of National Mobilization & Human Resource Development
In office
1977–1980
MonarchElizabeth II
Governor GeneralSir Florizel Glasspole
Prime MinisterMichael Manley
Personal details
Born1940
St. Ann, Jamaica
DiedSeptember 17, 2020(2020-09-17) (aged 79–80)
NationalityJamaica
Political partyPeople's National Party
Spouse(s)
Beverley Manley (née Anderson)
​
​
(m. 2012)​
Children5

Early life and education

Duncan was born in 1940 in Brown's Town, St. Ann. He attended Jamaica College in the 1950s.[2]

Dental career

Duncan attended McGill University in Canada where he obtained a degree in dentistry. He operated private dental practices in Kingston and in Brown's Town.[3]

Political career

Duncan became National Organizer for the People's National Party in 1972 before being elevated to the position of General Secretary in June 1974, succeeding Kenneth Chin-Onn.[3] He first ran for elected office in December 1976 when he won the general election from the St. Andrew East Central constituency, polling 9,301 votes to the JLP's Ashley Williams (4,209).[4] He was appointed Minister of Mobilization in January 1977 and served in that post until 1980. Although the PNP lost the 1980 general election, Duncan was returned to Parliament from the constituency, but lost the seat when the PNP decided not to contest the 1983 election.[5] After 1983, Duncan returned to his dental practice. He was briefly affiliated with the New Beginnings Movement political pressure group in the 1990s. In 1996, Duncan joined the Bruce Golding-led National Democratic Movement. He remained a member until his return to the PNP in 2007.[6] Duncan contested the 2007 general election on behalf of the PNP and was elected from the Hanover Eastern constituency. He went on to serve two terms in Parliament. Duncan retired from representational politics in 2016.

Duncan served as a member of the former Electoral Advisory Committee (1981–1982) and subsequently as a member of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) from 2010 to 2014.[7]

Honors and awards
  • In 2019, Duncan was conferred with the Order of Distinction, Commander class, for services to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica.[8]

Personal life and death

Duncan was first married to Joan Duncan, whom he met at McGill University in the 1960s.[9] He next married Grace Verona Powe in December 1976. She died on September 10, 2010.[10] Duncan then married Beverley Manley (née Anderson) on January 21, 2012. Duncan had 6 children: Keith Duncan, Donna Duncan-Scott, Patricia Duncan-Sutherland, Imani Duncan-Pryce, Josina Duncan and David Duncan.[1] Duncan tested positive for COVID-19 on August 30, 2020, and was admitted to hospital.[11] He died in the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, on September 17, 2020 at the age of 80 from complications due to COVID-19.[12]

References
  1. "Five facts about DK Duncan". Jamaica Gleaner. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  2. "Scholarships Awarded to Jamaica College Students Since 1936". Jamaica College OBA (Canada). Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  3. "DK Duncan's contributions, conflicts and controversies". Loop News. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  4. "General Election 1976". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  5. "Members of Parliament(Election Results from 1944-2016)" (PDF). National Library of Jamaica. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  6. "Here are some things you probably didn't know about Dr DK Duncan". Buzz Caribbean News. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  7. "History of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica" (PDF). Electoral Commission of Jamaica. 1 September 2014. p. 47. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  8. "Over 100 persons to be conferred with national honours and awards". Radio Jamaica. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  9. "Joan Duncan". Jamaica Money Market Brokers. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  10. "Dr. DK Duncan Dead: Iconic Jamaican Political Leader Dies at 80". Entertainment Overdose (UK). 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  11. "DK Duncan tests positive for COVID-19". Jamaica Observer. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  12. "Dr. Donald Keith (DK) Duncan is dead at age 80". Wired Jamaica Online News. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
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