Porter Duncan

Porter Coy Duncan, 96, of Franklin, N.C. died peacefully at home Monday, September 14, 2020.

Born in Clayton, NC on June 23rd, 1924 (son of Wilbur Duncan and Leona Patton Duncan), Porter lived in Franklin for most of his adult life.

Disqualified from active service in WW II, due to eyesight problems, he served in the war effort as a civilian by initially working on the Fontana Dam project and later working at the National Defense Facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

While at Fontana, he met Cleo Barnes, who transferred there from work on the Kentucky Dam project near Paducah, KY. They were married on April 13th, 1945. The couple returned to Franklin in 1946 and lived happily together until Cleo passed away on August 31st, 2011.

After returning from Oak Ridge to Franklin, Porter initially worked at a service station on courthouse square. He later bought the business and operated it for several years until he went to work for the Nantahala Power & Light Company. He retired from the Power Company in 1984 and, until his recent decline, lived a full and active life.

Porter was a lifelong member of the Patton United Methodist Church. He was a role model husband and father, working hard to provide for his family and trying to follow Jesus’ teachings to care about and help others.

His son Don and daughter–in- law (Beth Swan Duncan), of Andrews, N.C., and two grandchildren Lawrence A. Duncan (Laura Altvater) of Scappoose, OR, and Lisa E. Duncan (Ross Smart) of Brattleboro, VT survive him. Also surviving are his cousin, Lawrence (Pat) Patton and wife Donna Poole Patton, and several nephews and nieces.

The family wishes to express special thanks to several close friends and residents of Patton Community, members of Patton United Methodist Church, Dr. Gustav Wilde, and individuals from Carepartners Home Health for their kindness and compassion.

In view of the constraints imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no Visitation or Funeral Service at this time. There will be a simple, private graveside service with interment following at the Patton United Methodist Church cemetery. In the future, when conditions for assembly are safer, there will be a memorial service at Patton United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorial gifts to Patton United Methodist Church.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Duncan family. Online condolences can be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Porter Duncan, please visit our floral store.