Herbert Anderson Durham

Herbert Anderson Durham went to be with the Lord on July 10, 2023 at the age of 98. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, World War II P-47 fighter pilot, businessman and avid golfer.

Herb was born to Dr. Herbert Alton and Beatrice Anderson Durham on October 20, 1924 in Shreveport, LA. He spent his early childhood in Shreveport and later attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA. His father understood war was imminent and wanted his son to be prepared.

He entered active duty in the Army on January 23, 1943 and transferred to the Army Air Corp as a Second Lieutenant later that year. He reported to P-47 flight school in the spring of 1944 at Byrd Airfield in Richmond, Virginia. He received his pilot training and remained in Richmond as a flight instructor until he was deployed to Toul, France in January 1945 in support of the United States efforts in the European Theater. He flew 46 combat missions and it was on his 45th mission that he was shot down while strafing a German railyard on April 11, 1945. His ejection from his plane was a feat by itself as he had to roll back his canopy, undo his safety harness, pull the airplane up and roll it upside down - all with no propeller and airspeed of 400 mph. He then dropped out of the plane hoping not to hit the tail as his inverted flight allowed him to parachute into enemy territory. The feat took only a few seconds as he radioed his squadron leader that he was “hit, no propeller and bailing out - see you after the war”. He remained a POW for several weeks where he was constantly interrogated and received only water, bread and sauerkraut once a day. He never ate sauerkraut again! In a twist of fate, the allied forces overtook the prison camp and Herb made his way back to the airfield in Sandhofen, Germany. Durham was thought to be missing. When he returned to camp shortly before V-E Day, his belongings had been looted, his suitcase sent home. After his reunion with his fellow airmen, he flew one more combat mission and was subsequently grounded by an Intelligence Officer due to the fact that the Germans had his dog tags and would have potentially executed him if they were to recapture him in combat. He was ultimately awarded the Purple Heart and French Legion Medal of Honor for his meritorious service during World War II. After the war he remained in reserve capacity with the Texas Air National Guard flying P-51 Mustangs and the F-80 and F-86 jets. He retired from the military with a rank of Major.

Upon discharge in June of 1945, Herb Durham returned to playing golf and pursuing an education. He enrolled in college at Cal Berkley in the fall of 1945 and was captain of the golf team. Later that fall he learned of his father’s untimely death and returned to assist his mother in their loss. He transferred to SMU in 1946 and was never able to pursue his golf career as a member of the SMU golf team – something that bothered him for decades later. Herb was a scratch golfer for almost 50 years and had an illustrious golf career that included many trophies and championships. He was medalist in the 1951 Western Amateur and several years later in 1960 he was a semi-finalist. He qualified and competed in the 1952 U.S. Open held at Northwood Country Club in Dallas, TX. He played in the prestigious North South Amateur in Pinehurst, NC over a dozen times and was runner-up his first year in 1958 and the medalist in 1960. He was the Low Amateur in the 1960 Dallas Open. He qualified for the US Amateur several times and was medalist in the Sectional Qualifying in Dallas in 1961. He won the 1961 Trans-Mississippi Amateur held in Oklahoma City. He was the club champion at Brook Hollow Golf Club 11 times from 1950 – 1976. He was a member of Brook Hollow Golf Club, Preston Trail Golf Club, both of Dallas Texas and the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland. He had a standing golf game with Bryon Nelson on Wednesdays at Brook Hollow in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Herb had so many great friends from the game of golf and had the opportunity to play with legends such as Bryon Nelson and Ben Hogan but cherished his time with his close friend Lee Trevino.

Herb’s business career started in 1949 when he founded the Herb Durham Company focusing on corporate gifts and promotional products for over 70 years. His clients included some of the largest defense contractors and Fortune 500 companies that are still in existence today. Shortly after founding his company, he met Kay Flippen of Dallas and they married on November 14, 1953. Together they raised 4 children and remained married for 66 years until her death in April 2020.

Herb was a strong man of faith and felt a calling to help his community. He was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for almost 30 years. He was a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and volunteered often for the Bryon Nelson Golf Classic in honor of his good friend Byron. He was a member of the Park Cities Rotary Club and the Aerobics Center for over 50 years and was a member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church since its inception.

Herb is survived by an extensive family including: son, Andy Durham of Oklahoma City, daughter, Amy Durham Aldridge of Edmond, OK, son-in-law, Ben Aldridge of Ardmore, OK, son, Scott Durham of Vero Beach, FL, daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Tim Feagans of Dallas, as well as seven grandchildren: Duncan Aldridge, Madison, Mackenzie, and Reid Durham and Hunter, Pearson, and Cooper Feagans.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dorothy, Naomi and Luisa for their loving care and support of our father over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Herb Durham to Meals on Wheels or Park Cities Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of Herb’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 30, at Park Cities Presbyterian Church. A graveside ceremony for the family will be held before.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Durham family.