Richard Duran Jr

Richard Duran, Jr. passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2014. He was 10th of 12 children born to Ricardo F. and Livinia Cruz Duran in Chacon, NM in 1925. He attended mission schools including Allison James in Santa Fe and Menaul School in Albuquerque. Following his brothers Frank, Timoteo, Anselmo and Presciliano, (younger brother, Telesfor, served after World War II), Mr. Duran enlisted in the Army in 1943 when he was 18 years old and weighed 107 pounds. Mr. Duran was a soldier in the 91st Division, 3rd Battalion in the 361st Infantry Regiment. His military occupational specialty was that of Light Mortar Assistant Gunner. Mr. Duran also served in Anzio in southern Italy and his company made their way to Sicily, Naples and Trieste. Duran recalls that every time someone was killed, he felt that a part of him went with them. For his service to the United States of American, Mr. Duran earned: the Rome Arno Appennines Medal, Po Valley Medal, Bronze Star, American Theatre Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Ribbon, Three Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation Badge - The 3rd Battalion, 361st Infantry Regiment, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Mr. Duran received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army in 1945. In 1951, he married the former Mary A. Gutierrez. The couple recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. They have two grown children, Sandra Duran-Poole and husband Chad and Orlando Duran and wife Sandra; two grandchildren, Chris and Lucinda; and two great-granddaughters, Leyla and Desaray. Mr. Duran was employed by Sandia Laboratories from 1956 until his retirement in 1980. From 1981 to 1983, he was a Truant Officer at Mora High School. He continued to work with his son's company, SCROL Construction. In his younger years, Mr. Duran was an avid hunter and fisherman. He has attended Second Presbyterian Church most of his life and has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion organizations. Mr. Duran recently recorded events of his military service which will be filed at the Menaul School Historical Library. Friends may visit FRENCH - Wyoming Monday, February 3, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 11:00 a.m., at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Second Presbyterian Church Deacons Fund. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400