J. C. Durrance

He was preceded in death by his parents; Ed and Aggie Durrance and 11 brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his son; Jerry Durrance of Haltom City, and daughter; Lynda Veal and her husband Larry of Granbury, and daughter; Lisa Barnes of Watauga and granddaughters; Jaclyn Barnes and Mary Karar and her husband Josh and grandsons; Dillon and Jay Durrance and greatgrandchildren; Aubrey and Owen Durrance.

J. C. married the love of his life, Dolores on January 22, 1955. J. C. came to Texas in 1952. His two brothers Clyde and Lloyd and brother-in-law, Rufus Davis, came to attend the Baptist seminary and brought J. C. with them. J. C. and Dolores met in church and shared 51 wonderful years of marriage before her departure to be with the Lord. He never stopped saying how beautiful she was. He showed round the clock dedication as Dolores’ caregiver during her final months as he made her wishes to remain at home possible. J. C. was her best friend; their love and devotion to each other is an inspiration to all who knew them well.

J. C. was a member of Heritage Baptist church where he and Dolores made many good friends. They continued to attend and be active in the church in Arlington even after they moved to Watauga and up until Dolores’ death in 2006. J. C. continued to attend until his health made it difficult to make the long drive to Arlington. When his health started to keep him more confined to home he liked to listen to gospel singing programs on TV and had a favorite one that aired every afternoon. He would turn up the volume and sometimes sing along.

J. C. worked most of his life at Foremost Dairies where he started out as a route driver back when deliveries were how you got your dairy products. He later worked in the plant and became an expert at making ice cream and could tell you in detail the process from start to finish. He always was dependable and provided well for his wife and three children. He never let the fact that he had quit school at a very early age keep him from making sure his family had everything they needed. He managed to retire with enough savings to support him and Dolores comfortably and even buy her the house she dreamed of in 1998 which moved them closer to their grandchildren. Their grandchildren were such a source of joy to them both.

His oldest daughter Lynda had a saying “my Daddy can fix anything” and he practically could fix whatever broke down from cars to plumbing to appliances and beyond. He never learned to use a computer but he could do math in his head faster than most can come up with a total on a calculator.

J. C. loved to fish, it was his favorite hobby. He loved to catch crappie and he loved to eat them. He loved Dolores’ cooking and missed it when she passed but he learned to cook more for himself than family ever thought he would. Larry and Lynda felt it an honor to help him with meals and house hold chores in the years without his beloved Dolores. He always let them know what they did that wasn’t the way Dolores did it.

The hearts of his family are sad and they will miss him but they know he has been ready for some time to leave this life and be with Dolores, the love of his life in heaven.