Larry Adrian Duncan (LA Duncan), 85, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away peacefully at Fireside Nursing Home in Centralia, Illinois, on October 1, 2026, after a prolonged illness.
Born in Benton, Illinois, Larry was the first of three children for his mother, Edna Louise (Wilkerson) Duncan and father, Adrian Duncan. His mother was only 16 when he was born, but in those times, in that place, this was not unusual. Larry was the apple of his parents’ eyes and loved by everyone.
Larry moved with his family to Idaho and worked there in the silver mines. He lied on his employment application for Sunshine Mines in Idaho so that he could begin working there at only 15 years old. It was in Idaho that he met the love of his life, Carolee Garwood. They married September 10, 1957, in Wallace, Idaho, and continued as the love of each other’s life until Carolee’s passing December 13, 2012. Together they had four children, Tamra, Debra, Larry and Sandra, though honestly by today’s standards Larry and Carol were still children themselves.
Larry loved cars and was an absolute expert at restoring old classic cars. It was his life’s passion. In later years he, his father and brother, Terry, refurbished many old cars from the 1930s and 1940s because they truly loved and admired a beautiful and well-designed vehicle.
Larry retired with his family to North Carolina. Family was everything to both Larry and Carolee! However, when Carolee died in 2012, Larry returned to live in Centralia, Illinois, the town he always considered his true home.
He identified as a railroad man, through and through. He moved to Centralia, Illinois, in 1963 to work on the C B& Q railroad, later the Burlington Northern Railroad, where he served as brakeman/conductor.
Larry is survived by his loving family, sister Francine Duncan; daughters Tamra Duncan (Tim Moore); Debra Duncan (Jim Guidici); son Larry Marvin Duncan; and Sandra Emmi (Anthony Emmi). His legacy also includes grandchild Joseph Gaetti (Ashley Gladden), great grandchildren Luca and Malone Gaetti; grandchild Jacob Gaetti (Lauren Bellich), great grandchild Weslie Maeve Gaetti; grandchild Nelson Muñoz, great grandchild Adrian Muñoz; and grandchildren Carolee Emmi and A. Benjamin Emmi (Emily Pascale).
Please note that grandchild Adrian Muñoz was born on Larry’s birthday and named to honor Larry’s father, Adrian Duncan, whom he loved so much.
Larry Duncan is predeceased by his father, Adrian Duncan, mother, Edna Wilkerson Duncan, brother, Terry Duncan, and his beloved wife, Carolee Duncan. Larry always said that family was EVERYTHING that really mattered, that kids were the most important thing in life, and that we can’t change life, but we can always change our response to it. He was a brave and amazing man.
A chapel service will be held in Benton, Illinois, Friday, October 9, 2026, at 2 p.m., Morton and Johnston Funeral Home. All are welcome, thank you. Also thank you so much for Fireside Centralia and Hospice SSM. You were there to hold our dear dad’s hand when we couldn’t be. So beautiful and appreciated. Thank you!
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
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