Jimmy Richard Duncan, also known as "Papaw", 79, went home to be with the Lord on January 21st, 2016. He was a member of Batley Baptist Church, of Clinton, TN. He was the seventh of nine children, born to a coal miner and his wife on December 22, 1936 in Briceville, TN. He married the love of his life, Shelby Jean, on July 31, 1956, and on October 28, 1959, they welcomed their first and only child, Regina Gail. He was employed by UT-AEC, which became Comparative Animal Research Lab (CARL), as an animal technician; and later by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) as a janitor for over 36 years until his retirement in 1996. But those who knew Pap know that his real occupation was that of a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and farmer, as he lived his life to selflessly provide, love, and care for others. He always had a large vegetable garden, even up until last summer, and could grow just about anything. Even greater than his ability to farm, was his ability to tell stories and to make people laugh. He had a tale for every situation, and the real fun was trying to determine whether or not he was joking, or telling the truth.

Papaw was preceded in death by his parents, Sammie and Sarah Dovie; his father- and mother-in-law Charlie and Margaret Braden; and his sisters, Lucy Stuck, Ethel Hooks, Maxine Schieb, and Joyce Sodd.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years; his daughter and her husband, Eric; the boy he always wanted grandson Micah Baker, and his wife Jessica, children Camden and Landon; granddaughter Shanna Smith, whom Pap only ever called "Shawn", and her husband Nicholas; and Pap's little "Sweet Pea", great-granddaughter Adeline. He is also survived by his sisters Hazel Duncan, Dixie Hall, Caroline Cooper and her husband Mike; brother Elijah "Lige" and his wife Clarice; and a multitude of nieces and nephews, some of which he claimed as his own.

Pap was loved way too much to be accurately described within an obituary, and his stories will live on with his family, and with all of those who knew and loved him.

The receiving of friends will take place at Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton, TN on Monday, January 25, 2016 from 5-7pm, with Pastor Luke Kidwell officiating the funeral service at 7pm. The graveside service will take place on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11am at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Batley Baptist Church, 670 Batley Road, Clinton, TN 37716. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. holleygamble.com