JOHN THOMAS DUNCAN Sr.

JOHN THOMAS DUNCAN, SR. After 103 years of loving and living on this earth, John Thomas Duncan, Sr., went to his eternal home on September 13, 2024, greeted by his Savior and many loved ones. John was born July 14, 1921, to Thomas Jefferson Duncan and Mary Elizabeth (Phillips) Duncan at their farm home near Holt, Missouri. John shared his childhood with 2 older sisters, Erma Bogart and Myrtle Truby, exploring life without TV, riding a horse to a one room school and helping with the farm. After high school he studied radio and 2-way communications. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, John left a job with Zenith Radio in Chicago to join the Army. He served his country during WWII in New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea and was in the Philippines when the war ended. He returned home and married Mary Elizabeth Shaver on February 17, 1946. They enjoyed nearly 56 years together until her death in December 2001. John remarried at the age of 85 to Shirley Barrett, enjoying 10 years until her passing. John continued his radio and broadcasting education at Central Technical School in KCMO and received on the job experience at various radio and TV stations in several states. He then moved to his wife Mary's hometown of Liberty, Missouri and began a 30-year career at Communications Engineering (Commenco) in Kansas City. While maintaining the city job, John moved his family to his birthplace near Holt to help his widowed mother with the farm and built a home where he and Mary would raise their 5 children. John's Christian faith led his life with unconditional love for his family and friends. He was an active longtime member of the First Baptist Church, Holt, Missouri. He loved hard work and could build or fix anything. He grew a huge garden and tended livestock and crops. John's gentle and trusting character, grateful and giving heart influenced and touched many lives. He will be greatly missed. John was always strong and in good health until he began to naturally decline in the last few years. He was lovingly cared for in the Polo, Mo, home of his son and daughter-in-law, John, Jr. and Mary, where he passed peacefully. Farm life with generational family activities and home cooking contributed to his longevity, as well as genetics (his sister, Erma, lived to 101) and ice cream! Among the many to greet him in Heaven are his wife, Mary, his second wife, Shirley, his parents and sisters (named above), daughter-in-law, Linda Mills Duncan; sons-in-law, Bobby Musgrove, Jim Grimm, and Jay Whited; still born grandson, Craig Douglas Whited; great-grandson, Bryson Collins. Left to treasure his memory include: Children: Sharon Post (Larry), John T. Duncan, Jr (Mary), Mary Whited, Susanne Gibbons (Danny) and Carol Grimm. Grandchildren: Heather Downs (Joe), Heidi Polson (Tim), Shelta Collins (Dustin), Carrie McClure (Floyd), Josh Duncan, Chris Whited, Carmen Whited, Daniel Gibbons (Audrey) and Nathan Gibbons. Great-grandchildren: Elijah Downs, John Thomas Downs, Willow Polson, Charlee Polson, Boston Collins, Kiera McClure, Kinlee McClure, Katie McClure. And many nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Collins Strong Foundation. A service celebrating John's life will be held at 2 PM Saturday, October 12th, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Holt. After military honors a reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place following the reception at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kearney, MO. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Polo. (660) 354-2214. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com