Jim Thomas Duncan, 75, of Gillespie, died on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at 5:39 p.m. at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. An additional visitation will be conducted Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie. Those attending the services are encouraged to wear casual attire.
Mr. Duncan was born June 16, 1947, in Litchfield, to David T. and Ruth (Christian) Duncan. He married Theresa K. Brown on June 26, 1971, at Saints Simon and Jude Church in Gillespie, and she survives.
He graduated from Gillespie High School with the class of 1965. He went on to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force from June 2, 1965 to Dec. 10, 1968, earning the rank of staff sergeant. During his career, Mr. Duncan worked as a certified Class A Ford mechanic. He worked for two years at Flexible Metal Hoses in Elgin, one year at Flexible Metal Hoses in St. Louis, MO, and 37.5 years at Drew Ford in Gillespie.
He was a member of the EZ Riders Saddle Club, Saturday Breakfast Group at Miners Restaurant, Big Piney Horse Camp for 42 years and Thursday Night Table Thumpers at 16 West.
Mr. Duncan was an avid Nascar fan and all forms of auto racing. His interest in dirt track racing began as a pit crew member at Godfrey Speedway. He collected and restored antique tractors. He was an avid animal lover and hunting and fishing enthusiast. He was well-known for his cooking. He enjoyed “dinging around” his farm, country line dancing and ballroom dancing. He hosted many annual trail rides at the Double D family campground. He was a friend to all and was generous with his time and talents to anyone in need.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Duncan is survived by his siblings, John (Ann) Duncan of Knoxville, TN, and Marilyn (Bob) McMillan of Gillespie; sisters-in-law, Ann Rolando of Carlinville and Peggy (Bill) Geurin of Mt. Carmel; nieces and nephews, Steve (Ingrid) Duncan of Knoxville, TN, Scott (Susie) Duncan and Stacy (Mike) Felker, both of Omaha, NE, Rob McMillan of Gillespie, Ryan McMillan of Palm Desert, CA, Jim Rolando of Lake of the Hills, Julie (Brian) Foster of Lockport and Mike Geurin of Mt. Carmel; cousins, Alice Duncan of Alpharetta, GA, and Bill (Andrea) Duncan of Carlinville; godson, Pete Duncan of Gillespie; many great-nieces and nephews; and all his four-legged children which he affectionately called “fools and worthless.”
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Robert Allan Duncan; brother-in-law, Jim Rolando; and nephew, John Geurin.
Memorials may be directed to Adopt-A-Pet in Benld or Macoupin County Animal Shelter in Carlinville. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.kravanyafuneral.com.
