Tommy Junior Duckworth was born on July 11, 1938, in Dallas, Texas. He was the 8th child of Richard Enos “Jake” and Lottie Frances Mae (Holley) Duckworth. He was the grandson of Damascus Daniel “Dee” and Martha Elmira “Mattie” (Truss) Duckworth, and of Claude and Myrtle Maybell “Mirtie” (Beach) Holley. Tommy attended school in Forney, Texas. At age 15, his first job off his parents’ farm was on the Smith Ranch. He also worked as a carpenter with his older brother and later as a painter for another brother for 6 years. Tommy enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962. After his honorable discharge in 1968, he was a carpenter contractor for several Dallas based builders, and he and a partner were builders for a time while he lived in Mesquite. On October 19, 1978 he married Valerie Hamilton. Tommy and his family, after living a year in Richardson, moved to Ennis in 1973, where Tommy remained until his death on November 28, 2013. Tommy loved to hunt, fish, farm, and raise cattle, and was never happier than when he was outdoors. Tommy was preceeded in death by his parents, sisters: Iola Shipley, Lucille Steifer, and Jacqueline Tye, and brothers: J.D., Billy, Morris, and Don Duckworth. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Valeria Duckworth, children: Denis Duckworth and Dana McGuinness, granddaughters: Danielle Spurlock and Kayle Skinner, great grandchildren: Braydon and Emma Spurlock. Visitation will be on Friday, November 29, 2013 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis. A Celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 2 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis. Pallbearers will be Richard Duckworth, David Shipley, William Shipley, Rusty Chapman, Earl Hamilton and Charles Kelley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Willis Patton, Clyde Hamilton, Ronie Kearney and Jim Kienast. Interment will follow in Myrtle Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. www.jekeevermortuary.com
