Conrado Duran Jr.

Conrado (Conrad) Duran Jr., 81, was called Home after complications from congestive heart failure, on Saturday, November 21, 2015 in El Paso, Texas. He was surrounded by all his children along with grandchildren, other family and close friends. Conrado was born to Conrado Sr. and Leonor Holguin Duran in Socorro, Texas on May 22, 1934. Known by many friends and family as “Chite,” Conrado was also proud to be “Grandpa” along with “Dad” and “Daddy.” Conrado was best known as “Honey” by his lifelong love of 59 years, Helen, who passed away in 2013, forever changing his daily routine as he looked to the day when he could be with her again. Conrado and Helen met at her father’s house when Conrado was asked by Helen’s brother “Fito” Molina, whom he was serving with in the Army, to go by and tell Fito’s father he was okay. Three months later, on December 27, 1953, Helen and Conrado were married. Conrado and Helen were the owners and managers of Duran & Sons Diesel Service in El Paso and previously Duran & Sons Trucking, preceded by C. Duran Trucking. After marriage, Conrado and Helen lived in Socorro, Texas; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Brawley, California; Los Angeles, California; and Oxnard, California before returning to El Paso to start their own business and ultimately live in the house Helen grew up in. Conrado, a Korea War Veteran, was fiercely patriotic and supported U.S. Army and Veterans Groups along with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Also, very proud of the history and heritage of his upbringing in Socorro, Conrado worked for several years with the Historical Society for the preservation of the Socorro Mission-La Purisima Catholic Church. Always true to his roots in agriculture, Conrado was also the Irrigation Alcalde for his irrigation area and loved early mornings along the irrigation canals. An avid supporter of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Conrado traveled most seasons to see the Dodgers play. The list of young and old that came through the Duran home that Conrado and Helen created, learned the value of a good work ethic and the compassion of a loving hug. All were welcomed and all were treasured. Ultimately, Conrado believed in all that was good in America and valued the opportunities given him through hard work and dedication to a goal of providing for his family and community. Through his steadfast will and determination, he wished this for others. Conrado is survived by his children Gil (Veronica) Duran of El Paso, TX; Eddie (Christy) Duran of El Paso, TX; Danny (Janeen) Duran of St. Louis, MO; Cindy (Sergio) Duran Garcia of El Paso, TX; Lisa (Eddie) Duran Aguilar of Clint, TX: Laura (Rich) Duran Villa of Austin, TX; 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; brother: Tony Duran of Socorro, TX; sisters: Rosita Duran Telles of Phoenix, AZ, Emma Duran Hernandez of Clint, TX; half-brother: David Duran of El Paso, TX. Conrado was preceded in death by his parents Conrado Sr. and Leonor; brothers Raul, Arturo, and Mike; sisters Juanita and Anita. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 24, 2015 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina with a Prayer Service and Eulogy at 7:00 pm. Final visitation and Prayer Service will take place Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 12:30 pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home with burial to follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery (West Shelter) at 2:00 pm. Pallbearers are Gil Duran, Eddie Duran, Danny Duran, Sergio Garcia, Eddie Aguilar and Rich Villa. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Edward Assi, Dr. Muneer Assi, Tony Duran, Tury Duran, Anthony Nelson, Tony Ponce, Mike Trujillo, Rick Glancey, Ronnie Powell, and David Urquidi. A special thank you to the Medical and Clinical Staff of the ICU unit of Sierra Medical Center in El Paso as well as Jaime Guerrero of Matrix Home Health and the staff of Envision Hospice. Additionally, the family would like to thank friend and business associate, Sandra Gonzalez along with Jeannie Taylor and her staff at WestStar Bank East: Lee Trevino/I-10 branch. Services are under the direction of Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 Carolina Drive, El Paso, TX, telephone 915-598-3332.

“GOD IS GOOD AND WE ARE BLESSED”