Obituary of James Duncan

James T. Duncan (Jim), age 86, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2011, at his home. Family and friends fondly remember him as a loving husband and father.

Born March 14, 1924, in Mitchell County, Georgia, Jim was the second child of Mose and Berdell West Duncan. His older sister Frances Duncan Edwards and his younger brother Silas Eugene Duncan were both deceased in 2003. He graduated from Morven High School in 1941, where he played on the baseball team. He enjoyed returning to south Georgia for class reunions until 2009.

Jim attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia, prior to moving to Washington, D. C. and joining the F.B.I. in 1942. He worked as a Special Employee while attending George Washington University, where he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, Jim was appointed an FBI Special Agent. Jim served three years in the U. S. Air Force during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant. After his discharge, he returned to work for the FBI.

Jim married Lorraine (Rainy) Biser on June 23, 1949, at St. Paul's Methodist Church, in Washington, D.C. They lived in Washington for 2 ½ years then moved first to Wheaton, MD for a brief 6 months, and then to Haddenfield, NJ. In 1954, Jim resigned from the FBI and moved to Atlanta, GA where he helped establish Southern Bell's Security Department.

Eight years later, in 1961, Southern Bell transferred Jim to Jacksonville, FL. He held various security management positions over the years with responsibility spanning Florida and Georgia. Culminating his 35-year career with Southern Bell, Jim retired in 1989 as Operations Manager-Security for the North Florida area. Jim and Rainy have resided in Jacksonville, FL for the past 50 years where they developed many enduring friendships. The Duncan family lived on Westlawn Drive in Alderman Park for over 30 years before moving to the current residence on Woodsong Loop in Harbor Woods. They have been members of St. Paul United Methodist Church on Lone Star Rd. for 50 years.

Jim was an accomplished handyman who enjoyed building things, growing things, and could fix just about anything. He helped many friends and neighbors with home maintenance and landscaping. Jim was an active member of the Harbour Woods Civic Association, contributing to beatification efforts and landscaping the entrances, and was a multiple winner of the neighborhood "Yard-of-the-Month" award.

Mr. Duncan is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lorraine (Rainy) Duncan; daughter Lynn Duncan, her husband Charles E. Hammons, and their son Duncan Hammons, of Ponte Vedra Beach; daughter Jan Duncan Goddard and husband Charles F. Goddard, of Tallahassee, their children Charles F. Goddard II, Rachel Goddard, and Joel Goddard; sister-in-law Frances Duncan of Tallahassee; special nieces and nephews including Steve and Susan Duncan (Tallahassee, FL), Joyce and Jim Cooper (Norcross, GA), Ellen and Doug Murray (Yulee, FL), Colleen Wilson, Summer Wilson (Jacksonville), Dan and Sarah Biser (Lutz, FL). Jim touched the lives of many people with his generosity, hospitality, and genuine concern for others. He maintained his positive outlook and dry wit all the way to the end.

Friends and family are invited to attend a time of fellowship at 10:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM, Friday, 1/21/2011, at St Paul United Methodist Church (8264 Lone Star Rd), with Rev. Melissa Pisco, Rev. James Jennings, and Rev. Dan Biser officiating. Pallbearers will be Bob Anderson, Jim Cooper, Steve Duncan, Pete Kwapis, Bill McCoy, and Ted Walker. Burial will follow at Arlington Park cemetery (6920 Lone Star Rd). Arrangements are being handled by Arlington Park funeral home. Memorial tributes may be made to Northeast Florida Community Hospice or St. Paul United Methodist Church. The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Hospice for their help and support.