John Wesley Staton Durham, 92, of Hackett, Arkansas passed peacefully at his home on Monday, February 2, 2026. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed. John was born on June 6, 1933 in Hackett, Arkansas to Jim and Cora Durham. Upon graduation, he joined the Air Force, he then begin working for the highway department. He then worked at Whirlpool, retiring after 24 years. He served on the Hackett School Board for 12 years, as well as the Hackett City Council for 12 years. He also worked for the City of Hackett as the Water Superintendent.
John attended the Assembly of God Church for several years, then attended with family at Rock Island Community Free Will Baptist Church. Due to his health issues he then enjoyed watching church services on TV.
As well as raising a family of six boys, his proudest accomplishments included donating his time and labor to Hackett High School and the Hackett City Park with his good friends, Bob Goldsmith and Earl White.
He enjoyed mowing his lawn, helping others and adored spending time with his grandchildren. He believed in sharing his blessings with others by giving to several charities. His favorite saying was “Love is not love, until you give it away.”
John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy; five sons, Johnny Durham and wife, Sherry of Hackett, David Durham and wife, Jutta of Oklahoma City, Gary Durham of Hackett, James Durham and wife, Amy of Hackett and Michael and wife, Sarah of Hackett; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Durham of Hackett; seventeen grandchildren, Cory Durham of Fort Smith, Amanda Nobel and husband, Trevor of Fort Smith, Nathan Durham and wife, Heather of Fort Smith, Jake Durham of Fort Smith, Nicholas Durham of Lavaca, Caleb Durham of Van Buren, Zach Durham of Van Buren, Katie Ajuria and husband, Billy of Fort Smith, Sasha Haskell and husband, Chris of Hackett, Jennifer Wagner and husband, Mark of Fort Smith, Lauren Durham and Delen Johnson of Hackett, Brock Durham and wife, Anna of Fort Smith, Jamye Durham of Hackett, Wesley Durham and wife, Raven of Nicut, OK, Madison Durham of Fayetteville, Zach Ruple and wife, Madison of Hackett, Mary Ruple of Fort Smith; eighteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his son, Mark Anthony Durham; three sisters, Flora Hampton, Sybil Curd and Mary Fuller and five brothers, Willford Durham, Millard Durham, Leroy Durham, James Holt and Holman Durham.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Friday, February 6 at Rock Island Community Free Will Baptist Church, 23125 Bustin Lane, Cameron, OK with burial at Vinita Cemetery in Hackett under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Thursday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
