Jimmy “Jim” Ernest Duncan

Jimmy “Jim” Ernest Duncan

1931-2024

Jimmy “Jim” Ernest Duncan was born in Corrales, N.M., on Feb. 20, 1931, and moved into his new home in heaven and into the presence of Jesus on June 1, 2024, following a fall in his shop. He was unable to overcome all the difficulties with his health that arose.

Jim is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy Duncan. They married on Dec. 24, 1951, when he returned from basic training in the U.S. Army. Shortly after, he was deployed to South Korea. He returned in 1953 and they resided in Albuquerque until 1964. He was employed with ACF Industries in Albuquerque and, in 1964, he moved his family to Los Lunas.

He was ordained as a Christian minister in 1958 and, in 1962, started and pastored at Los Lunas Christian Church in Los Lunas. He then later started and pastored at Mountain View Community Church on Meadow Lake Road. Both churches are still going today as Grace Fellowship and Mesa View Family Church.

Upon leaving ACF Industries and starting the churches, he started a business, Valencia Auto Salvage, and owned and operated the business until about 1995 when he began another business, Duncan Calf Bottle Holders. He designed and patented the calf bottle holders and has supplied many dairies in state and out of state to this day.

When his wife, Dorothy, was afflicted with a stroke, he started making wooden crosses, and his red, white and blue bottles with flowers. Many of his bottle sets he delivered to hospitals, police departments, veterans, veteran families and hospice nurses. Many of his wooden crosses are currently in churches, homes, hospitals and cherished by many individuals. He also wrote four gospel songs and had them copyrighted.

Since 1964, he has been a pillar of the community of Los Lunas and the surrounding towns and areas. He and others, through the Lions Club, were instrumental in bringing Daniel Fernandez Park to Los Lunas.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Marcus and Julia Duncan; brother, William (Jack) Duncan; and niece, Rebecca Ann Fisher Davis.

Jim is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy Duncan; his daughter, Laura Murphy and husband, Steven, and their daughters, Stephanie Martinez and husband, Vicente, and daughters, Tommi and Abigail, Amber Murphy and fiancé, William Vetsch, Emily Delgado and her husband, Marcos; and sons, Mateo and Oliver. He is also survived by his sister, Jerry Fisher; brother, Sammy Duncan and his wife, Carolyn; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Jimmy will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, June 8, at the First Baptist Church of Los Chavez. Officiants will be Pastor Boyd Morerod, and Jimmy’s brother, Sam Duncan.

A potluck reception will immediately follow the service at the church’s fellowship hall. Anyone attending is asked to bring a dish.

Jimmy’s inurnment will take place at 10 a.m., Friday, June 14, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.