of Clinton, AR
October 24, 1937 - June 11, 2015
James Paul Duncan 77, of Clinton, Arkansas passed away Thursday, June 11, 2015 He was born October 24, 1937 to James Gorman and Ruth Jesse (Jones) Duncan.
Jimmy was a faithful member of the church of christ and was called home after a decline in health.
He loved to travel with friends or the local Boy Scouts, and loved the Clinton Yellow Jackets. He taught high school history and enjoyed seeing historical sites and the majestic beauty of God's handiwork. He also spent his life teaching and preaching the gospel of Christ.
Jimmy leaves behind his mother, Ruth Duncan, three sons, Mike (Donna) Lance and Tim, three grandkids, Matthew (Britlyn), Mitchell and Molly, in addition Annetta Duncan, and many friends, and the gang of Huddle House.
Pallbearers: Sam Shannon, Jr., Dewey Bohannon, Billy Thomlinson, Philip Jones, Keith Coward, Darrell Oliger, and Doug Jones.
Honorary Pallbearers: Jim Berry, James Story, Irwin Oliger, John Hargis, and Ray Story.
First Visitation will be 6:00-8:00pm Friday, June 12, 2015 at Choctaw Church of Christ.
Second Visitation will be 11:00am - 1:00pm Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Choctaw Church of Christ.
Funeral Service will be 1:00pm Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Choctaw Church of Christ with Adam Epps and Matt Burleson officiating. Burial will follow in the Oaklawn Memorial Park Cemetery Searcy Arkansas.
Funeral Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Arkansas. www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
I don't stay in touch with many from home, so I got this sad news rather late. I loved taking History with Mr. Duncan...and I hated History at the time. I know I wasn't the only one to get my name and some infamous dumb quotes written on the board... But as he scribbled my dumb rantings in front of everyone, daily...it sure felt like I was. I can even still picture the smirk on his face as he paused in disbelief, just before grabbing the chalk...all the while shaking his head at me. Lol. He was by far my favorite high school teacher.
Just heard about Jimmy's passing. He was a big influence on me in the late 60s and later on to my son. We both enjoyed arguing with him about history and I think he enjoyed a good discussion. Clinton Yellowjackets, St Louis Cardinal baseball, the Hawgs and his favorite Razorback, Mr Alworth
Our condolences to all of you. I've thought much about what an influence Mr. Duncan, I still can't say Jimmy, after all these years, was on my life. One of my role models in education and athletics, many of my stories in the class room and on the road to games that I was so very lucky to attend with you all, I've passed to our son and he laughs and has learned so much though Mr. Duncan's influence on me. Words just can't do justice for all he did for me and my family in school and through the Church.
To the family I send my warmest and sincerest sympathy for the loss of a good good man. I can never think about the game of baseball without thinking of Jimmy Duncan. He was my coach, teacher, driving instructor, and a good respected friend. They are so many things I could say about Mr. Duncan but the main thing is we that are saved by the grace of God will get to see him again. I'm so sorry to have missed the funeral but I just found out today and my heart hurts for all of you. Love in Christ melvin emerson
Thank you everyone.
Trina, how in the world did he peg a girly girl like you as "The Duke"? That's hilarious. It was good seeing you the other day. You have not aged one year - gorgeous as ever.
I guess it's just our time to say goodbye to some of the people who shaped us. I've been saddened very recently at the loss of people like Sam Shannon Sr., Kay Story, Bob Hill, Missy Crockett, the one and only Nick Jones, Ted Whillock, others I cannot think of right now, and now Dad. I hope that saying goodbye thing slows itself down a bit.
One blur of a memory I have that Clinton can enjoy was a time Dad was keeping score at a basketball game. Of course referees have to communicate their decisions to the scorekeeper. In this one instance, I think the ref wanted to T-up Dad because Dad was yelling at him while notating the call - foul, walking, whatever it was Dad didn't agree with. Can a ref call a technical foul on the official scorekeeper? Or perhaps toss the official scorekeeper from the gymnasium altogether? I think he wanted to. Dad was furious and I think Jim Van Horn was egging him on. It was great.
Dad bled Clinton Yellow Jacket sports and had a fire for the girls' teams just as much as the boys' teams. Thank God for Myra Jackson and Tammy Hodges leading us to a state basketball championship. Dad needed that.
Of course Dad also loved his churches. It was so good to reconnect with you all this weekend.
Thanks again everyone and thank you all for the flowers. I tried mightily this past year to get Dad to move up to Bentonville with me after his health declined. He kept putting me off every time. He didn't want to leave Clinton. He loved all of you.
Duncan Family,
We were so sorry to hear about the
loss of Jimmy.
Our prayers are with you all.
May the Lord comfort you all
in your loss.
He was a funny unique teacher and I am blessed to have known him and to have had him as a teacher. Years later I enjoyed him as a customer at my work. He was always getting me to smile. He will be missed and loved by many. Rest in Peace Mr Duncan.
We began attending Formosa about 15 years ago. Jimmy explained practically everything in the Bible to us. He was a great Bible scholar. I can't express how sad we are for all the family. He loved you all so much and told us that nearly every week. God Bless and comfort you all.
I am sorry for your family's loss..Mr Duncan was a great mentor and I'm enriched by the blessing and strength he taught me
Praying for all his family and friends. He will be missed.
Mr Duncan was a specail person,he will be missed
Mr. Duncan was always one that I wanted to catch up with post-graduation. It's sad to hear he's already gone. The only class I had with him was World History my freshman year and a lot of my favorite high school memories are from that class. Mr. Duncan had the reputation for being a 'cool' but hard teacher. He acted tough on us but he had a gift for making each of us feel special. He announced the football games and I guess attended most if the school's sporting events- he was a pilar for our school, he was a legend. I hope he knew how important he was to me and to so many others. And like so many educators, he made his life count. Thank you Mr. Duncan, you will be missed.
You will never be forgotten,a unique individual who touched thousand of students minds and hearts at Clinton High School.
Mr. Duncan, I hope you score a 90%, so you can enter the pearly gates without having to do your homework next week!
You inspired me in your classes, and turned me into a history buff. Many of my favorite memories from playing softball in the 80's involve games against you. I loved competing against you, was happy there was never hard feelings after the games were over. You were one of my favorites. My thoughts are with the family. You will be missed.
Rest in peace Mr. Duncan. You made an impact on the countless students that you taught. The community that you loved...loved you right back. Your shoes can never be filled. Prayers of comfort for your family. You will be missed.
Mr. Duncan was a wonderful teacher and an inspiration to me. He will greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Mr. Duncan was my favorite teacher and I will miss him dearly. I will miss seeing his smile.
Lance and family, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. The class of 1984 loved Mr. Duncan. I will never forget him standing outside his classroom door everyday as we all would walk down the hall to his class. His nickname for me all through high school was "Duke" because he said is walked prissy like John Wayne, which was is favorite actor. Rest in peace Mr. Duncan, we will miss you. I'll even miss hearing you call out here comes Duke... it would make me laugh everyday. Thank you for making us all love school.
He was my favorite teacher. He was my mother's favorite teacher as well.
Words can not express the sadness I feel right now. I just saw you a few days ago at Huddle House and I sat down beside you and gave you a big hug and chatted. You were an amazing teacher and a great friend to my Dad. I love hearing the memories of you guys playing golf, floating the river, and many football game adventures. You will truly be missed and always loved.
My thoughts and prayers are with y'all. Great memories of Mr Duncan in school and around Clinton.
Mr. Duncan (dunk) as we called him in school was my favorite teacher. We have lost a great man and a great teacher to many. My heart breaks for the boys especially Tim.
Mr. Duncan as much respect as I have for you as a teacher, it doesn't compare to my memories in Church. You tried for 10 years to get me in Church and no matter how many times I said no, you never blinked or treated me any different. You finally got me there and I've been there ever since. You Baptized me and through all of my trials and tribulations, you still treated me with kindness and respect. Thank you and I know you are grinning while looking down at what you meant to all of us. Bless you and your family.
I've lost a dear friend. He could always bring a smile to my face with his dry sense of humor. I will truly miss him but know he is in a much better place now! Goodby Jim!