John Wesley Durham

John Wesley Durham

John Wesley Durham died October 6, 2006. John was born August 13, 1922, in Kingman, to Bessie Irene McPeek and Lindon Madison Durham. He graduated from Newton High School and joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. He served as a radio operator in B-25s in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and China, Burma and India Theatres with the 434th Bomb Group, known as the "Earthquakers." Durham remained active with the squadron attending as many annual reunions as possible and keeping up with the roster and Necrology for the last several years.

After being honorably discharged from four and one half years of service, he married Frances "Anne" Fugate on Aug. 7, 1945. They lived in Bartlesville Okla., for several years where John was employed by Phillips Petroleum Company. The family was transferred to Borger, Texas, in 1957, where he completed his 33-year career with Phillips. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Borger where he once served as an elder.

In 2001, the couple moved to San Angelo, Texas, to be nearer to their two daughters. Durham was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of San

Angelo. Durham lost his wife of 59 years in September 2004. He since was able to enjoy the remaining two years of his life because of the company of a very special friend, LaVerne McDonald.

He also was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Lindon Jr., and one sister,

Barbara Jane Crane.

Durham is survived by his two daughters Judy Perkins of San Angelo and Jenny Burgman and husband Carl of Tulsa, Okla.; one sister Roberta Nunemaker and husband John of San Antonio, Texas, three grandsons, Corbin Perkins of Dallas, Reece Perkins and wife Kayla, and Logan Perkins; and one great-grandson Noah Gage Perkins, all of San Angelo, a brother-in-law and friend John King of Newton; along with several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service officiated by Dr. Ron Sutto of the First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo will be at 10 a.m. Monday Oct. 9 at Johnson's Funeral Home in San Angelo.

Memorials may be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Hospice of San Angelo or the charity of your choice.

Interment will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Kingman. A graveside service with full military honors will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11.