The Clarence Duncan preaching tree includes two sons and a brother

TOP PHOTO: “I’m not sure I’m up for a photo today with my unkept look,” said a laughing Dr. Clarence Duncan on a Tuesday morning visit to his room at La Follette Medical Center’s Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Photos by Charlie Hutson, story by Jim Freeman

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- At almost 91 years of age, Dr. Clarence Duncan continues his dedication, service and ministry to his Lord. Though of late, it’s not been that easy.

For almost two months, he’s been at death’s doorstep, laid up in a hospital bed and now taking daily doses of medicine at La Follette Medical Center’s Health & Rehabilitation Center. For only a few of those days, he wasn’t on the radio with his daily message over WLAF. However, as soon as he was able, he set up a make shift studio on his hospital tray and has been preaching in his pajamas from the edge of his bed.

Duncan glances down at his notes while delivering his Tuesday morning sermon over WLAF Radio. His make shift studio consists of the white radio for his monitor and his telephone as his microphone compared to his home studio below.

Duncan has made a life out of being the artful dodger of death. Even as a young man, he wasn’t given long to live after his first heart trouble cropped up. “I’m on my sixth pacemaker,” said Duncan from his rehab center bed. His heart doctor of 30 years calls him his Energizer Bunny.

It’s Duncan’s hope that he’ll be released to go home in a day or two. “I only have four more rounds of that high powered medication to take, and I’m hoping that means I can go home this week,” said Duncan.

He’s been preaching for 68 years, 41 of those at Bethel Baptist Church on Hatmaker Ridge at Jacksboro. His preaching tree includes two of his sons, Rick and Wesley, and his brother Clayton. The four of them have been sharing the gospel for a combined 219 years; Rick 53, Wesley 44, and Clayton 54.

For the time being, son Rick’s been filling his father’s pulpit at Bethel Baptist Church. All the while, Dr. Duncan continues his dedication, service and ministry to his Lord everyday from the side of his bed preaching over WLAF Radio. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-06/04/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

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