Thomas Elden "Tom" Duncan

MAYSVILLE — Thomas "Tom" Elden Duncan, 93, of Maysville, passed away on May 29, 2025, at the Hospice of Hope Care Center in Maysville.

Born on Nov. 19, 1931, in Oneida, Tenn., he was the son of the late William Ezra Duncan and Amanda Keeton Duncan.

The 1950 Valedictorian of Oneida High School, Tom was also captain of the football and basketball teams. He held school records for five touchdowns in a single game and for the longest touchdown reception (87 yards). He served honorably as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954. He was first stationed in England for two years, where he also attended classes at the University of Oxford, and was later stationed in Roswell, N.M. After his military service, Tom received an appointment to West Point but chose instead to continue his education at Tennessee Tech University, where he majored in Biology and earned a scholarship as a punter and kicker for the football team.

On Aug. 4, 1956, Tom married Charlene (Marcum) Duncan in Oneida, Tenn. The couple moved to Louisville, where Tom worked for Belknap Hardware. In April 1958, they welcomed their daughter, Bedouin, and later relocated to Maysville, where Tom continued his career as a hardware salesman with Belknap Hardware and later House-Hasson Hardware. He worked in hardware sales for over 50 years, spending many of those days causing mischief and playing practical jokes on customers.

Tom's passion for football extended well beyond his playing days. He was one of the coaches who helped restart the Maysville High School football team and served as the number one fan and volunteer coach for the Mason County High School football team. He was also the Kentucky representative for the Oneida, Tennessee Tourism Bureau, and was known as the only Maysville resident frequently heard singing "Rocky Top" during college football season. For several years, he was the guest conductor of the Mason County Orchestra's Fiddle Fest performance of "Rocky Top."

Tom loved the outdoors, especially hiking in his childhood playground, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. He enjoyed outsmarting Jeopardy! contestants on a nightly basis and was the official snake and mole control manager of Washington's Glen. He also proudly served as chauffeur for his grandsons and their friends.

A dedicated church member, Tom was a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church for 38 years, and at Central Baptist Church for nearly 30 years. He was also an active member of the Maysville Rotary Club and the Jaycees, where he was named "Young Man of the Year." He served on the committee for the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center's capital campaign as well.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Charlene Duncan; daughter Bedouin (Dr. Randall) Dennison; grandsons Chris (Caroline) Ullery and Zach (Dr. Joy-Leilani Garbutt) Ullery; great-grandchildren Peyton and Sydney Ullery and Steve Ullery, father of his grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Osborne, and his sisters Bernice, Juanita, and Veda.

A visitation will be held at Palmer Funeral Home & Crematory in May's Lick on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 5-8 p.m.

The family extends special thanks to the staff of Maysville Nursing Home and the Hospice of Hope Care Center for their compassionate care. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Hope 909 Kenton Station Dr., Maysville, KY 405,6 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Condolences to palmerfuneralhome.net.