Esmiel “Izzy’ was born on May 18, 1932 in Roswell, New Mexico to Arcelia and Louis Duran. While attending the University of New Mexico, he was set up on a blind date with Nancy Ann Allnutt. He swept her off her feet and they were married soon after their first date on March 9, 1956. Sixty-two years of marriage brought 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren – creating a wonderful close-knit family.
Moving to El Paso in 1956, he made a name for himself in the carpet and flooring industry. After working for William Volker & Company for 32 years, he started his own company called Sun City Carpet Distributors, Inc. in 1981. He quickly became known around town as ‘Izzy Duran the Carpet Man.’ He retired after a very successful career in July of 2017 and closed his business in order to spend more time with family and friends.
Izzy was also active in the El Paso community. He was a member of El Paso Serra Club and the Rotary Club of West El Paso, where he had perfect attendance for 36 years.
Izzy never knew a stranger for long and you only had to meet him once to be considered his friend. He had a smile that spread to his eyes that made anyone feel welcomed and warmed your heart. He loved to tell a story and would remind you to ‘never let a few facts interfere with a good story.’ Izzy and Nancy loved to travel and were fortunate to go on many trips that took them around the world with friends and family.
Izzy was an avid golfer at Santa Teresa County Club. His golfing buddies could be found betting on anything you could think of during a friendly round or two of golf. Izzy also knew his way around a deck of cards, playing both bridge and poker. He belonged to numerous weekly bridge groups and was a founding member of his men’s poker club, which met regularly for nearly 50 years.
Izzy’s greatest joy in life was his family. Izzy and Nancy created a loving, caring, united family that was more important to him than anything else in life. He would often tell you, The Family that Prays together, Stays together. He enjoyed big family meals (although he never cooked or washed a dish), and played games with his grandchildren. The red or green chili was only good enough if it made his eyes water or gave him hiccups. He was a role model as a provider and protector of his family – his presence will be sorely missed by his family.
Izzy is preceded in death by his parents; Louis Clan Duran and Arcelia Sandoval Duran, his siblings; Alfredo Duran, Eloy Duran, Pat Garoutte, Esther Roehrick and Roy Duran and his grandson, Clinton Dale Worman. He is survived by: his wife, Nancy Allnutt Duran; their children & spouses: Cecelia (Cissy) Duran, Lisa & Hector Quintanar, Kent & Lisa Duran, Sally & George Hilton and Kate & Mark Scholz; his grandchildren, whom he was affectionately known as Poppy: Cameron & James Baker, Kendra Jeffrey, Rachel Duran, Jeffrey Duran, Andrew Hilton, Katherine Hilton, Parker Scholz and Marin Scholz; and his great grandchildren: Jack Baker, Grey Baker and Vivian Worman; his brothers, Louis Duran and Henry Duran. He also has numerous nieces and nephews that knew him affectionately as Uncle Ish.
There are many additional family members and friends that made an impact on Izzy’s life. They are certainly remembered, honored, and not forgotten.
A Rosary ceremony will be held in Izzy’s honor on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at Martin Funeral Home West in El Paso, Texas. Visitation begins at 5:00 PM and with a Rosary service at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas. Final burial will take place in Greeley, Colorado on August 11, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Izzy’s name to Rotary Club of West El Paso Foundation (P.O. Box 13164, El Paso, TX 79913) or a charity of your choice.
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