Donald Joseph Durand, Sr., after a lengthy battle with dementia and renal disease, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, FL with his family at his side.

Donald was a native of New Orleans, LA, born on October 21, 1927 to Annastasia Schindler and Floyd L. Durand, Sr.

He was a devoted husband to May Rose White Durand for 65 years and a resident of Picayune, MS for over 23 years and was a loving father to Linda Durand Katicich (Stephen), Patricia Durand Petersen (Calvin), Donald J. Durand, Jr (Crystal) and Kenneth M. Durand (Melinda). He was also a grandfather to 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a younger brother, Stanley J. Durand (JoAnn). He is survived by a sister, Annastasia Durand Burmaster (Earl) and a brother, Floyd L. Durand, Jr. (Georgia) and a host of nieces and nephews.

Donald started his life on the water at an early age as a member of the Merchant Marines and joined the US Navy early in life where he would participate in many naval campaigns during World War II, the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Blockade. Between calls to naval duty, Donald worked for, and retired from the Illinois Central Railroad. When his children were small, he also joined the Sea Scouts, where he gave young men a taste of life on the water.

Donald was a “Jack of all Trades” who loved construction, mechanics and electronics. With his amazing knowledge and talents, he could have built houses, and in fact, built additions to the houses he owned. He was a home flipper before it had a name!

“Daddy, you will be missed!”

Donald J. Durand, Sr. will be laid to rest at the VA Biloxi National Cemetery at 400 Veterans Blvd, Biloxi, MS at 2:30 pm on Friday, October 17, 2014. A memorial will follow immediately at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601, in Donald’s name.