Alfred Durdin

Alfred Maurice Durdin Alfred Maurice Durdin was born February 25, 1921 in Raven Hill, Texas to William Franklin (Frank) and Sarah Elizabeth Fitzgerald (Sallie) Durdin. He left this life to be with his Lord and Savior on June 1, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 49 years and 8 months, Margaret Inez Means Durdin, his second wife Gracie Currie, sisters Mineola, Bessie, Effie, Zelma, Lelar, Walter and Georgia and two brothers Leon and Cecil. He is survived by children Sandra Kay & Melvin Botard of Houston, Missouri; David Maurice & Judy Durdin of Spring, Texas; and Connie Lynne Durdin of Oakhurst, Texas. Grandchildren: Kristi & Erik Benestante, Jennifer & Phillip Daniel, Aimee & Darrell Mitchum, Jessica Durdin Sebren and Shane Aaron Botard. Great-grandchildren: Hunter McKay, Ethan Walker and Kynadee McClain Inez Benestante; Meredith Ann Daniel; Jonathan Blake and Shaye Elisabeth Mitchum; Saige Nicole and Skylar Marie Sebren. He is also survived by brother and sister-in-laws Pete and Louise Means, Jack and Gisela Means, I B and Dixxie Means, Irene Means and Annie Means as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends. Alfred left home as a teenager to join the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico. While in Roswell he performed on radio station KGFL on a live Saturday program, playing and singing in a band. Alfred joined the Army and was stationed in Luzon, Philippines during WWII with the rank of Tech Sergeant. He was extremely proud of his time in the military and serving America in time of war. After returning to the States, Alfred married Margaret (Inez) on June 14, 1947. He was a member of Local 450 in Houston, Texas where he was employed in the heavy equipment operations field. After living in Houston for a number of years, Alfred moved his family to Oakhurst, Texas where he had been raised. He continued to work in Houston, commuting daily from 1964 through 1986 until his retirement from Linbeck Construction. He was a member of the Oakhurst Full Gospel Church serving as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Board President and Music Leader and was a 32nd Degree, Scottish Rite Body of Houston and Past Master of the Mt Moriah Masonic Lodge #37 A.F. & A.M. of Coldspring, Texas. His spiritual life and love of the Lord was never hidden and he lived his life by the teachings of the Bible and led by example. He was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and beloved uncle, brother, and brother-in-law. He was one of those people who never met a stranger. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone and figure out someone they each knew or were related to. He had an amazing memory for faces and names, and amazed his family wherever he went, even out of state, because he would find someone he knew, or had run across in the military or through a job, recognize them and start up a conversation. Through the years, his stories of the Army, the war and life growing up in "Durdin's Bend" entertained and informed family, friends and neighbors. Services for Mr. Durdin will be held Friday, June 5th at 10:00 am at Oakhurst Full Gospel Church, at 441 FM 946 South, Oakhurst, Texas, under the direction of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday evening June 4th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Oakhurst Full Gospel Church. Internment will be at Mt. Capers Cemetery in Staley, Texas (FM 946 North). Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.shmfh.com

Alfred Durdin

February 25, 1921 - June 5, 2009