A Service of Remembrance was held Aug. 21 at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson for Thomas Merritt Duncan, 60, of Jefferson.
Words of comfort were offered by the Rev Charles Thompson. Gary Haupert was soloist and Sheryl Sloan was organist.
Casket bearers were Bob Bills, Tom Shearman, Ray Tucker, Randy Graven, Jack Bucklin and Rick Pearce. Interment was at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
Thomas Merritt Duncan was born Oct. 19, 1957, to Bonnie Owens Duncan and Merritt E. Duncan. Tom attended Jefferson schools and graduated high school with the class of 1976. He continued his education in Des Moines and worked as a commodities broker for several years.
Tom farmed with his dad for many years and had a great love for the seasons of agriculture. Both Tom and his dad were big fans of Ford vehicles. After his father passed away in 2008, Tom was devoted to the care of his mother and brother Jay. Tom worked for a time at Genesis and was active in Aktion Club, a service club for adults with disabilities.
Like his parents, Tom was a strong Democrat. In recent years Tom worked tirelessly on the state and national level for legalizing medical cannabis to help those suffering with pain associated with illnesses and disease.
Tom died Aug. 15, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Survivors include his mother Bonnie Duncan and brother Jay Duncan, both of Jefferson; other relatives and many friends.
