John L. Duncan Jr.

John Duncan Jr, “JD” born March 6, 1960, a native South Carolinian and longtime fixture of Charlotte’s hospitality scene, died peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025, surrounded by friends and family. Over more than two decades in Charlotte, he opened multiple restaurants but built a lasting legacy at Bonterra, one of Dilworth’s most popular and acclaimed restaurants where he earned the respect of chefs and diners alike. 

JD grew up in South Carolina but immersed himself in food and hospitality scenes in Nashville, Atlanta and Hilton Head. He turned his passion into a career after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and moving to Charlotte in the late 1990’s. After acquiring and renovating a former AME church in the Dilworth neighborhood, JD opened Bonterra Dining and Wine Room where he served as owner for over twenty years. Under his leadership, Bonterra earned a national reputation for its innovative wine offering and as one of the first farm-to-table restaurants in Charlotte. 

JD was active is multiple charitable endeavors where he used his restaurants to give back to the community. He sat on the board of the HeartBright Foundation, supporting cardiovascular wellness through fundraising and volunteer work, and after 9/11, hosted an annual dinner for the firefighters at Charlotte Fire Station #2 in Dillworth. His generosity and mentorship influenced a generation of Charlotte restaurateurs. 

JD was a larger-than-life figure who would greet everyone with a smile and a lift of his wine glass. He will be remembered by his family, friends and the many members of Charlotte’s restaurant community whose lives he touched. JD’s love of wine, food, friendship and community service leaves a lasting legacy in Charlotte and beyond. 

He was preceded in death by his father John L. Duncan Sr, “Jack” and his brother Ruel Duncan “Buddy”. He is survived by his mother Patricia, his sister Sharon and brother Tom (Yvette) as well as his nieces and nephews, Allison Hagood (Elijah), Ryan Hagood, Nicholas Duncan (Daniela), George Duncan, Noah Barfield, Estelle Barfield as well as hundreds of “restaurant friends” and co-workers.

 There will be a public Celebration of Life Service for JD Duncan at the Belk Chapel at Queens University on Monday, May 19th at 1 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in JD’s honor to the Heart Bright Foundation, Charlotte NC or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.