Omar Duncan, 85, is a retired machinist who is known as a pillar of the Kimberly community. In February, Duncan was voted the Kimberly Senior Center 2009 King, with Inez Phillips elected as queen.
• What do you do in your spare time?
Since the center (Kimberly Senior Center) opened, I spend most of my time here. In May of last year, I lost my wife of 65 years. This place here has been more help than anything I can think of to help me get over my loss.
• What do you enjoy about the senior center?
It’s small, so it gets crowded sometimes, but we enjoy every minute of our time here. And we think we have the best director in the country. I love to get in here and sing with the group. We love to sing hymns.
• What kind of work did you do before you retired?
For 20 years I did pattern work at Harbison-Walker Refractories Company in Bessemer. It was a brickyard. The last 19 years I did machine shop work. I retired there in 1986. Then for 12 years I worked at a machine shop in Kimberly — Ralph’s Machine and Welding.
• What have you done since then?
Whatever comes along. Some wood work. Just making what-nots and cabinets. (Duncan recently made some wooden paper-towel holders for the senior center.) Since this center has been open, I spend most of my time here.
• Were you ever in the military?
I’m a World War II veteran. I served in the European theater for two years, six months and 21 days.
• Do you have children?
I had two sons and two daughters. My oldest son passed away when he was 19 years and 3 days old. I have so many grandchildren that I can’t count them, and I have two great-great grandchildren.
• Do you have a church affiliation?
In 1972, I got saved and joined Kimberly Church of God. I’ve gone there ever since. I’ve worked in the church in multiple offices. I currently work at the food bank every third Saturday. I’m also an elder.
• Is there anything else about you that people should know? (Duncan pointed to a mounted big-mouth bass hanging on a wall at the Kimberly Senior Center.) That’s the biggest fish I ever caught. It weighed almost 6 pounds.
• Where did you catch it?
Smith Lake in Cullman.
Seniors
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Melanie Patterson
Discussion
March 3, 2009
Person You Should Know — Omar Duncan
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Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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Senior Center News
For more information about the Fultondale Senior Center, call 849-0916.
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Savvy Senior
Dear Savvy Senior
What can you tell me the about the constant ear ringing syndrome known as tinnitus? At age 56, I have had it for several years but it has gotten more and more noticeable lately. Is there anything I can do?
— Ringing Rhonda -
Savvy Senior
Dear Savvy Senior
What can you tell me
the about the constant ear
ringing syndrome known
as tinnitus? -
Civitan’s ‘General’ wins major recognition
Gardendale native Robert E. Lee is revered as “The General of Recruiting” as the president of the Gardendale Civitan Club.
Lee has led the club for more than 20 years and he’s recruited about 200 people into the organization. “There’s a secret to recruiting for Civitans and I’m one of the few people that knows it,” he said. “The secret is a-s-k. You just have to ask people to join.” - Area seniors welcome in Fultondale We are excited about all of the things happening at the Fultondale Senior Center. We’d love to invite all seniors over the age of 60 to join us.
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Seniors getting informed, dancing at center
July has brought many new members to the center.
We are so very happy to see folks come in to enjoy our various programs and activities. -
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Lillie Y. Patterson has lived in the North Jefferson area for 63 years.
A retired teacher from the Birmingham City School System, she tutors in her spare time. -
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My niece Maria and I went out for a girls day several Saturdays ago and ran into a delightful lady, Erin Sullivan.
Mrs. Sullivan grew up in Morris and has many friends in the Morris and Gardendale communities. -
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