Leon Durdin

Leon Franklin Durdin was born in Emoryfield, Texas on March 18, 1926 to William Franklin and Sarah Elizabeth Fitzgerald Durdin. As a youngster he and his brother Cecil sang and played their guitars on a regular basis on KSAM radio in Huntsville, Texas on Saturdays. He joined the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Washington State before being transferred to Korea during World War II. On August 23, 1947 he married Dorothy Means. Though Leon and Dorothy were not blessed with biological children, they were like second parents to many nieces and nephews. Leon was a member of Local 450 in Houston, Texas where he was employed in the heavy equipment operations field mainly for Linbeck Construction. He was an active member of the Missionary Church of God in Houston for 41 years. He and Dorothy retired to their farm in Oakhurst, Texas in 1991 where he became a member of the Oakhurst Full Gospel Church and was an active board member. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mineola, Bessie, Effie, Zelma, Lelar, Walter and Georgia and one brother Cecil Ray. He is survived by his wife of 59 years and 11 months, Dorothy Durdin and his brother, Alfred M. Durdin also of Oakhurst. Alfred, who married DorothyÂ’s sister, Margaret Inez had three children, Sandra, David, and Connie who have always felt they were blessed with two sets of parents, biological and adoptive. Leon is also survived by in-laws Pete and Louise Means, Jack and Gisela Means, I.B. and Dixxie Means, Irene Means, Annie Means, and Bertha Wright, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends. He was a loving husband, substitute father, substitute grandfather and beloved uncle, brother, and brother-in-law. He possessed a wacky sense of humor and often had people in stitches at his witticism, or as the family might say, Â“Leonisms.Â” In the one area he remained serious, was his quiet walk with the Lord. He lived as he believed a Christian should, and led by example. He never had an unkind word about anyone and treated everyone equally. He was a true gentleman, fair and just with a very tender heart. Everyone who knew Leon would surely say that a wonderful man met Jesus face to face on July 23, 2007. Services for Leon Durdin will be held on Thursday July 26 at 10 AM at the Oakhurst Full Gospel Church under the direction of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Internment will follow at Mt. Capers Cemetery. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com

Leon Durdin

March 18, 1926 - July 26, 2007