James Roy Duncan

James Roy Duncan, 82, of Cottonwood, passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. A visitation for friends and family will be from 4 – 6 PM on Monday, July 2, 2018 at the Sunset Funeral Home in Echo with sharing of memories and a prayer service at 6:00 PM. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family.   James Roy Duncan Jr. was born to James Duncan, a farmer and Lorna (Kyrk) Duncan, a nurse on June 28, 1935 in Pipestone, MN. James grew up on a farm north of Trosky, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. James attended school in Edgerton and helped his dad on the family farm. Jim enlisted in the Navy in 1953 and was stationed in San Diego, California, serving on the USS Herbert J. Thomas Destroyer. He visited many ports including Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa and sailed the Pacific Ocean. James was honorably discharged on June, 22 1956. On September 28, 1953, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Nancy (Ludolph) at the Presbyterian Church in Marshall. Together the couple made their home in Pipestone for a short time. They moved to San Diego, California in 1953 and returned to Pipestone until 1961 when they moved to Casanovia. In 1963, they moved to Tracy for a few years until moving one last time to Cottonwood in 1966. They were blessed with 2 children, Mark and Lisa. Jim worked at grain elevators in Casanovia, Tracy, and at last Cottonwood, where he worked his way up to the manager position. Jim was known for his hard work and dedication and always talked about the wonderful “guys” that he was so lucky to work with. Jim retired in 1997. Jim served as mayor for the city of Cottonwood from 1983-1990. He also was a member of the Cottonwood Lion’s Club and a member of the Cottonwood Country Club. Together Jim and Nancy enjoyed playing games at the casino, playing cards, Farkle, golfing, bowling, traveling to various locations including Hawaii, Caribbean Cruises, Alaska, The Mediterranean, and various locations throughout the United States, including the infamous trip to Las Vegas where Jimmy hit a lucky slot machine! After retiring in 1997, Jim filled sunshiny days mowing fairways at the Cottonwood Country Club. In the spring of 2016, he lost his lifetime sweetheart to cancer. Jim, trying to recover from his loss, spent time with family, his pup Tiger and his wonderful neighborhood friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, parents James and Lorna Duncan, brother Albert “Slim” Duncan and sister Nancy Jane Sletten. He is survived by his children, Mark (Marilyn) Duncan of Shakopee and Lisa (Kent) Fratzke of Cottonwood; 5 grandchildren Lindsay Duncan and Tyler Duncan, Dana (Andrew) Mack, Amanda (Dusty) Harris, and Anthony (Kelsey) Fratzke; 2 great grandchildren, Aubrey Harris and Mason Mack; and siblings, Luella (Late Merlin) Mundahl, and Carol (Dale) Holbrook and many special nieces and nephews.