Obituary for Burton “Duane” Durkee

Duane Durkee

November 28, 1938 – December 8, 2021

Burton Duane Durkee was born November 28, 1938 in Tonkawa, OK to George and Mary (Holt) Durkee. He passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 83 years of age surrounded by his loving family. He graduated from Billings High School in 1956 and Oklahoma State University in 1960.

On January 23, 1965 Duane was united in marriage to Cecilia Romero in Santa Fe, NM and to this union three children were born, Donna, Joseph, and Carol. Duane worked for the F.W. Woolworth/Woolco Department stores for 22 years managing stores in Omaha, NE; Santa Fe, NM; Lubbock, TX; San Angelo, TX; Bartlesville, OK; and Tulsa, OK before moving to Perry when he joined the family business, Durkee Bros., farming from 1983 through 1988. In addition, he was an independent oil field pumper, Duane Durkee Pumping Services, from 1983 till he retired in 2019.

Duane was an avid gardener and a supporter of all OSU sports. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in all of their activities. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Perry, OK serving as communion and wine minister, alter server, usher, and on the cemetery board. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight among other officer positions, as well as being active with the KofC Fourth Degree holding various officer positions. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Stage Coach, and Optimist Club.

Duane is survived by his wife, Cecilia, and their children and spouses; Donna and Chris Lemons, Joseph and Barbara Durkee, and Carol and Adam Moore; and his grandchildren; Caleb Lemons, Jacob and Natalie Lemons, Lindsey Lemons, Ryan Durkee, Nathan Durkee, Kaitlyn Durkee, Hannah and Alex Barker, Keagan Moore, and Landon Moore. He is also survived by his loving siblings, Marilyn Waltermire, Bruce and Karen Durkee, Karen and Richard Culp, and Mary Jane and Gary Kendall.

He was proceeded in death by his parents George and Mary Durkee, his mother-in-law Josie Romero, and brother-in-law Fred Waltermire.

A Rosary will be held at Trout Funeral Home of Perry at 6 PM, Monday, December 13, 2021.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Bala Raju Pudota officiating. Duane will be laid to rest at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, PO Box 11039, Lewiston, ME 04243-9409, or online at: www.lung.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077. We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Duane at www.troutperry.com.

Source: Trout Funeral Home