Covington, Texas, Fred Dale Durham (76) passed away after a battle with cancer, at Waco, Veteran’s Administration Hospice. Fred was born September 13, 1936 in Cleburne, TX, to the late Orville and Vera Durham. Survivors include his beloved wife Ji Hua Zhang, Durham; one stepson in China; 2 sons, Terry Dale Durham and Stephen Dwayne Durham, a granddaughter, Kristi Marie Durham, 3 grandsons, Sean Michael Durham, Michael James Durham, Ryan Frank Durham, (all living in California); a stepsister, Jayne Page Hunt living in Richmond, Virginia; a stepbrother, Johnny B. Page (Peggy) living in Waxhaw, North Carolina; special friends, Stephen S. Strupp and his wife, Yu Qui Chen from Crowley, Texas, and Cindy Mandarano Helm, from Mocksville, North Carolina; and nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Barbara Sue Durham Cannon of Ft. Worth. All who knew Fred will miss him, he was humble, kind, and helpful to friends and family.
Fred was living in Denton, Texas when his mother married John Page in 1947. Fred grew up in Denton and Ft. Worth. He attended Tech High School. Fred served honorably in the US Army from, 1954-1957. He served as a commercial pilot with International Airlift, flying supply missions into Vietnam 1965-1967. Fred was a jack of all trades. He moved to Covington to raise emus on his farm from 1992-2000. Fred was also an aeronautical engineer maintenance analyst at DFW, Charlotte, NC, Iran, and other US International airports before his retirement in 2003. More recently, Fred and Ji Hau have been raising chickens.
Fred had a passion for horticulture and loved the farm life.
Fred’s final resting place will be Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Moutain Creek Parkway, Dallas (Grand Prairie). Fred will be honored with Military Rites. Memorial Service date is unknown at present. Sympathy cards to Ji Hua Durham, 1899 FM 67, Covinton, TX,76636. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
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Fred has been a good friend to me and my family. Since Ji Hua and Fred married, Ji Hua has also been a good friend. ji Hua and Fred were very happy and took great care of each other. Things that I admired about Fred were his easy going ways, never getting upset, the respect that he gave to other people, and the love that Fred and Ji Hua have shown me and my boys through the years. We have enjoyed good times on the farm with good food cooked by Fred or Ji Hua. My boys always enjoyed shooting guns at Fred’s, which they don’t get to do often since we live in city limits. Fred always called me his little sis and I called him my big bro. I was Fred’s power of attorney and I hope I made the right decisions for him to pass away comfortably. I look forward to a continued friendship with Ji Hua.
I met Fred when he and my mom were married, he was always there for me no matter what. He will be missed but not forgotten , he will always remain in the hearts that knew him. R.I.P
Fred & I grew up together & he was a sweet guy & a big tease. When I was 9 & couln’t swim, he bravely pulled me in by my hair as I was being carried away by a swift current, & was was going down for the 3rd time.
Thank you, Fred, for being my hero…your loveing sis,
Jayne
I will always remember Fred’s confident smile and his "can do" attitude. From the time Fred was a young boy, he was innovative and capable of accomplishing large tasks with few resourses. The world has lost a good man and God has gained a loyal angel.
Fred was a good friend of the family. I appreciated him letting me visit him at his farm. We had a lot of good times together. He was a very kind man with a wonderful personality and sense of humor.