The new pavilion at the Darrell “Hickey” White Park has a name now.
The Crystal City Council voted unanimously Aug. 25 to name the pavilion in honor of Kenneth Wayne “Kenny” Duncan, the Crystal City Ward 4 Councilperson from 2010 until his death in February 2018. He also was a member of the Crystal City Park Board and the Crystal City Planning and Zoning Board.
Mayor Mike Osher read a resolution during the August City Council meeting and said Duncan demonstrated dedication, leadership and commitment to the betterment of the community.
“During his tenure on the City Council, Kenny Duncan envisioned and championed the location and creation of the new Darrell ‘Hickey’ White Park, recognizing the need for a public space that would foster recreation, community gatherings and civic pride,” Osher read. “His efforts and foresight played a vital role in making the park a reality, leaving a lasting impact on the residents of Crystal City for generations to come.”
In addition to his service to the city, Duncan was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served in the Vietnam War, receiving a Purple Heart in recognition of his sacrifice and bravery. He formerly owned Town and Country Grading and was a member of Good News Community Church in rural Festus and the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 1721 in Crystal City. He volunteered for the Sheriff’s Department (now the Sheriff’s Office) Merit Board and mentored for the Justice for Vets program.
Osher said signage will be placed at the pavilion to commemorate Duncan’s military service, civic contributions and vision for the park.
Duncan’s wife, Debra, 70, of Crystal City, said she was pleased the city honored Kenny at the park he supported so vehemently.
“I think he would be very pleased that it finally came about,” Debra said. “He loved public service, to be able to keep the town a good place, make it better and fill a need.”
She said Kenny was passionate about Crystal City, which reminded him of a Norman Rockwell painting.
“Crystal was his home. He went to eight different schools, but when he had the opportunity to go to Crystal as a Barnhart boy, he took it, and it became his home,” she said. “He made a ton of friends here going through high school. He was on the football team. His life was here and he really enjoyed it.”
Debra said Kenny’s background in construction helped him visualize how the park could look one day.
“He was good at envisioning how things could be with the lay of the land from a physical standpoint,” she said.
Debra said Kenny also knew the value of money and believed in using public funds responsibly. “He saw it as, ‘This is the public’s money; we need to spend it wisely and do the best we can with what we’ve got for the people who are paying it in.’”