Gerard J. Durward

Gerard J. Durward passed away peacefully at his home on May 19, 2025 at the age of 88 years old. Born on June 16, 1936 in Hamburg, NY to David and Esther Durward. Gerry was predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Pat Durward, and is survived by their sons John and Michael (Melissa) of Birmingham. Gerry was also predeceased by his parents and four siblings David, Jr., Paul and Bradley Durward and Elsie Stelmach and his daughter in law Anne Durward.

After faithfully serving in the U.S. Army, Gerry returned to Glens Falls, New York, where he was employed by Glens Falls Insurance. In 1960, Glens Falls Insurance transferred him to Birmingham, AL where he lived the next 65 years. After he moved to Birmingham, he met Pat Kelley in the apartment complex where he lived. Gerry and Pat were married on May 29, 1965. Gerry worked as an insurance adjuster while he attended the Birmingham School of Law at night.

Gerry was a devoted father to John and Michael. He coached many of their youth sports teams when they were growing up. He was a “dog whisperer” and loved all the various dogs and subsequently, the grand dogs, in his life.

Gerry graduated law school and passed the Alabama State Bar Exam in 1966. Over the next 59 years, Gerry had a distinguished legal career primarily in the areas of domestic relations and family law. He was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court in 2004. He practiced with law partner Steve Arnold at the firm Durward and Arnold from 1979 to 1993. In 1994, Gerry and Terry Cromer formed the law firm Durward and Cromer. Upon passing the Bar Exam in 1997, Gerry’s son John joined the firm. In June 2016, upon the departure of Terry Cromer, the name of the firm was changed to Durward and Durward.

Gerry was active in many legal organizations. He was a charter member of the Alabama State Bar Family Law Section. He was a Fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation which is comprised of the leaders of the Bar and judges and is limited to no more than 1% of Alabama State Bar members. Gerry held many positions in the Birmingham Bar Association, serving as its President from 1987 to 1988. He received the Birmingham Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Gerry has been a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) since 1979. He served as Budget and Finance Chair from 1990 to 1991 as well as on the national Board of Governors from 1990 to 1996. He was a founding member of the AAML Alabama Chapter serving as Alabama Chapter President from 2003 to 2004. Gerry was also a charter member of the AAML Foundation, a national foundation which provides financial assistance through grants, to help families and, particularly children, negatively impacted by the breakup of the family unit. He served on the AAML Foundation Board of Directors from 1998 to 2003. Gerry has been a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) since 1989. He served on the U.S.A. Chapter Board of Managers from 2007 to 2012. He was selected by his peers to serve as a founding Diplomat in the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an organization whose active membership is limited to 100 family law trial attorneys in the United States. Gerry is AV Rated in Martindale Hubbell and has been listed in every edition of the Best Lawyers in America since its inception in 1983.

The family will accept visitors at Ridout’s Valley Chapel at 1800 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on May 22, 2025. A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 2 Xavier Circle, Birmingham, AL 35213 on May 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with a graveside service to follow at Forest Crest Cemetery.

Memorials can be sent to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation, the Birmingham Bar Foundation, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, or a charity of your choosing.