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DURWOOD KENT “D.K.” DURRANCE
– 91 - Retired Swift & Company
FORT MEADE - Durwood Kent
Durrance, of
Fort Meade, FL, passed away January 7, 2013, at his home in Fort Meade
from complications due to cancer. Born January 29, 1921 to J.H. and
Annie Alderman Durrance, he was a
lifelong resident of Polk County. He grew up in a ranching and citrus
lifestyle near Tilhman Mine where he often fished in the old pits. As a
young man he loved Country Music but could not read a note of music. So
he learned to play the fiddle, guitar and harmonica by ear. In his
later years he also enjoyed hearing Gospel Music.
During the last years of World War
II
he was drafted into the Navy.
He was responsible for keeping airplanes
in a ready flying condition. He retired from Swift & Company
phosphate mine, later known as Estech.
Over the years he has been in the
citrus and cattle business. He could crack a mean cow whip. Mr.
Durrance was known by his friends as D.K. He was a first rate family
man always ready with a kind word, encouragement, or a helping hand. He
was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Meade where
he was designated Deacon Emeritus a few years ago. He was the last
surviving member of the Building Committee for the Sanctuary. Anyone
close to him knew he had a lifelong fondness for raw oysters, swamp
cabbage, fish and sugar cane syrup. He regularly prepared swamp cabbage
to share with his family.
D.K. was preceded in death by his brother Larry Durrance and his wife of 61 years, Margaret Martin Durrance. He is survived by his daughters:
Janet
(Kenneth) Hancock, Vickie (Gino) Commuso, Ginger Durrance, Danna
(Cliff) Kirchof, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He
is also survived by his late life best friend Norma Jones.
Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Fort Meade Funeral service will follow on Thursday,
Jan
10, 2013 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church conducted by Pastor Kenny
Slay.
Interment will be in the Bowling Green Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Florida Baptist Children's Home at 1015 Sikes Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815. (Ledger, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013) |