SALISBURY – A decorated army officer, teacher and longtime community volunteer has been named the winner of the 40th annual Good Samaritan Award by the Civitan Club of Salisbury.
Lt. Col. Jimmy L. Duncan of Rockwell received the award Thursday during the club’s annual Good Samaritan Awards luncheon at the Country Club of Salisbury.
Duncan, a successful businessman who also holds a doctor of ministry degree, was recognized for his long and dedicated service to many worthy causes and individuals throughout the Rowan County community. The Civitan Club has been presenting the award continuously since 1972 to individuals who demonstrate the attributes of a Good Samaritan in kindness, compassion and service to others.
“A true Christian and Southern gentleman in every respect, Duncan is an inspiration to everyone who knows and has worked with him,” said Good Samaritan Committee Chair Mark Ritchie in making the presentation. “Few persons, however, know just how much he has unselfishly contributed with his time, talents and resources.”
Two specific contributions noted in the presentation were Duncan’s role in establishing the first JROTC program in Rowan County at East Rowan High School and his leadership is helping establish the East Rowan YMCA. He was also praised for his efforts that initiated the locally sponsored “Service Above Self” program that recognizes young people of all ages each year for outstanding volunteer service. Duncan also serves a special projects adviser to Rowan County United Way, an active leader at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, The Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Association, Family Crisis Council, Gideon’s and the Salisbury Rotary Club service projects.
Duncan continues as a teacher and mentor in the local ROTC program and uses his distinguished military background to work with the U.S. Army in training Special Forces and Green Beret candidates. A Vietnam veteran, his many military honors include the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit and Gallantry Cross with Silver Star.
The Civitan Club Good Samaritan Committee selected Duncan for the honor based on a nomination by his longtime friends, Janis and Ronnie Smith of Salisbury. Also attending the special awards day were several previous winners of the club’s Good Samaritan award including: Juanita Lagg (1982); Melba Hunter (2003), Ann Coggin (2006) and Elizabeth Morgan (2009).
Prior to the award presentation, Civitan club members and guests heard a presentation by Kyna Foster, executive director of Rowan Helping Ministries. She gave a detailed history of the local organization’s service to the homeless and disadvantaged over the past quarter century. Foster then shared detailed plans for the major expansion of the RHM facility on North Long Street in the near future, thanks to the vision and generosity of a number of key community supporters.