Sammy  Duran

Sammy was born in Hurley, New Mexico to Tomas and Juanita (Lujan) Duran. He attended elementary and junior high school in Hurley and Cobre High School in Bayard, New Mexico. Sammy was very competitive in sports and won two Golden Glove State Championships, in the Feather and Welter Weight Divisions. He played baseball, pitcher, and short stop positions, starting with Little League through High School. Sammy held the Shot-Put record at Cobre High School for many years after his high school days.

Sammy and his wife, Evangeline (Vangie) Duran moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1959. Sammy served his country in The Army National Guard, and he started working with The Albuquerque Bus Company, at that time privately owned, as a transit system fi driver. Subsequently the Albuquerque Bus Company was purchased by the City of Albuquerque thus becoming the Albuquerque Transit System and the drivers were classified as Motor Coach Operators, represented by the United Transportation Union. Sammy then became the bargaining agent representing the rights of the individual employees safeguarding the conditions of employment as well as providing for the efficient operation of the Albuquerque Transit System. He retired in 1984 after 25 years of service. Sammy was extremely social, loved being among people, music and playing the guitar. He attended the Mariachi Festival Guitar Workshops for six years and accompanied the class performances. He's friends, and fellow musicians held playing parties every Tuesdays having a great time.

He is survived by his wife, Vangie, son Michael Duran and wife Melissa, from Albuquerque, NM, daughter Sharon Duran from Crested Butte, CO, grandson Delano Duran from Norwich, NY, grandson Tyler Johnson from Phoenix, AZ, granddaughter Samantha Ray Duran from Los Angeles, CA, a great-granddaughter Amara Duran from Albuquerque, NM and a brother Fred Duran from Sunland, CA, plus many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Sammy Ray Duran, his parents, two sisters and eight brothers.

Pallbearers will be Delano Duran, Tyler Johnson, Alfred Tafoya, Ben Duran, Michael Molina, and Robert Horcasitas. Honorary pallbearers will be Compa Tony Lopez, Compa Beto Ramos, Compa Ray Horcasitas, Sardo Lucero, Nestor Sandoval and Rudy Baca.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at FRENCH-Lomas. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the NM Kidney Foundation. Please visit the online guestbook for Sammy at www.FrenchFunerals.com.