Raymond "Ray" Duncan
Raymond T. Duncan is the CEO of Duncan Oil Inc. He has been in the oil and gas exploration business since 1950, when he began work in the Illinois Basin with the family company, Walter Duncan Oil Properties. He brought his expertise in Colorado in 1958, at which time he moved to Durango and set up offices as an independent oil and gas operator. Duncan resided in Durango until 1967, where he established his first Rocky Mountain production in New Mexico, Colorado and Utah.
In 1967, he moved his residence to Denver, where he opened an exploration office and, in the same period, open an exploration office in Calgary, Canada, called Duncan Oil Ltd. This company was a highly successful Canadian independent venture, which continued to be active in Canada until 1982, when the production was sold. Since that time, Duncan has successfully drilled and produced oil and gas throughout the Rocky Mountain region, the Midwest, the West Coast, Texas, Louisiana and Canada. The Duncan organization continues to operate in the Rocky Mountains.
In addition to oil and gas exploration, Duncan is also a successful entrepreneur as founder of Purgatory Ski Resort near Durango, Colorado; founder and chairman of the Board of Silver Oak Cellars in Napa and Sonoma, California; partner in the beautiful Diamond Tail Ranch in Larimer County, Colorado; and partner in the Claggett/Rey Gallery in Vail, Colorado.
Duncan is a founder and active director of Castle Pines Golf Club.
While Duncan and his family’s accomplishments are legendary, the impact of his local and national philanthropy is profound. He has given ongoing support to the Napa Valley area since starting and building his winery. He has offered guidance and financial support to many organizations, including the University of Notre Dame, Kent Denver School, The Denver Art Museum and Crow Canyon Archeological Center.
When he is not working, Duncan enjoys skiing, scuba diving and horseback riding. He and his wife, Sally, take great pride in their six children and 16 grandchildren, as well as their extensive western art and rare wine collections.
In 1967, he moved his residence to Denver, where he opened an exploration office and, in the same period, open an exploration office in Calgary, Canada, called Duncan Oil Ltd. This company was a highly successful Canadian independent venture, which continued to be active in Canada until 1982, when the production was sold. Since that time, Duncan has successfully drilled and produced oil and gas throughout the Rocky Mountain region, the Midwest, the West Coast, Texas, Louisiana and Canada. The Duncan organization continues to operate in the Rocky Mountains.
In addition to oil and gas exploration, Duncan is also a successful entrepreneur as founder of Purgatory Ski Resort near Durango, Colorado; founder and chairman of the Board of Silver Oak Cellars in Napa and Sonoma, California; partner in the beautiful Diamond Tail Ranch in Larimer County, Colorado; and partner in the Claggett/Rey Gallery in Vail, Colorado.
Duncan is a founder and active director of Castle Pines Golf Club.
While Duncan and his family’s accomplishments are legendary, the impact of his local and national philanthropy is profound. He has given ongoing support to the Napa Valley area since starting and building his winery. He has offered guidance and financial support to many organizations, including the University of Notre Dame, Kent Denver School, The Denver Art Museum and Crow Canyon Archeological Center.
When he is not working, Duncan enjoys skiing, scuba diving and horseback riding. He and his wife, Sally, take great pride in their six children and 16 grandchildren, as well as their extensive western art and rare wine collections.
