Theodore Burton DuFrain

1929 - 2010

Aug. 31, 1929- Nov. 13, 2010

Theodore Burton DuFrain, 81 of Oxnard, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Nov. 13, 2010 due to complications of Parkinson's disease.

A resident of Oxnard for 41 years, Ted was born in Billings, Mont., to Theodore Delphis DuFrain and California native Hazel Winifred Williams. The family was traveling at the time of his birth. Ted attended various schools throughout the west and graduated from Sacramento Adult Evening High School. In 1946, he joined the US Marine Corps at the age of 17.

After serving four years, Ted was discharged and returned home to Sacramento and a new job with the state, working in the emerging field of data entry. It was at this new job that he met, fell in love with, and married Claudine Helen DuFrain on June 10, 1950 at St. Francis Catholic church, Sacramento. The newlyweds honeymooned in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Their time together was short, however, as the Korean conflict soon erupted and Ted was called back to active duty.

Ted served in Korea from September 1950 to March 1951. Ted was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for conspicuous gallantry in action and wounds received in combat. His unit, D company, 2nd Bat., 7th Reg., 1st Marines, received a Presidential Unit Citation for meritorious action. Due to the severity of his wounds, Ted was honorably discharged from the Corps in May 1951.

Returning home, Ted was greeted by Claudine, his wife of less than a year, and the first of their six children, Timothy, all of three months old. Ted pursued several private endeavors but eventually found his way back to military life. He joined the Navy in 1956 and embarked on a career that would span 16 years of global travel that included trips to Europe, Australia and Asia, including combat off the coast of Vietnam. During his naval tenure, Ted served on submarines, destroyers and navel support vessels. He retired from naval service in October 1972 and returned home to his family and the start of a new chapter in is life.

Never an idle man, Ted would engage in many activities and hobbies for the remainder of life. Among these were a love of motorcycles and bicycles, shortwave radio, crossword puzzles, working as an armed guard and his service to his church and God. It was in that service to our Lord that Ted, along with his wife Claudine, found the most reward and fulfillment. They often served together as Eucharistic ministers, CCD instructors, and willing special events volunteers.

Ted was very proud of being a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, belonging to chapters in Ventura and Milwaukee, Wis. Ted was preceded in death by his father, Theodore; his mother, Hazel; and his stepmother, Frances.

He is survived by Claudine, his wife of 60 years; his sister, Joan Martin and husband Thomas of Pullman, Wash.; his sons, Timothy and companion Nancy of Pensacola, Fla., Frank and companion Cathy of Seattle, Wash., William and wife Kerry of Oxnard; and his daughters, Susan and fianc Albert of Camarillo, Mary Bonney and husband Lawrence of Redding, and Ann DuFrain of Oxnard. Ted also leaves behind grandchildren, Ari, Frank, Johanna, Nicole, Shaun, Adam, Christopher, Marc; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Dad was always there to help, whether it be housing, advice and counsel, or instruction in a variety of subjects from religious training to auto mechanics, to house painting and plumbing. He provided financial assistance and even stern admonishment when it was so often called for. But Dad was always there for us, and always tried to teach us what family meant, through words and deeds. It is now these memories that we will cherish. He was our Husband, Brother, Father, Dad, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Uncle and Grand-Uncle. He was the link to our past and the foundation of our future and he will be with us always.

Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, Rosary at 7 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel/Conrad-Carroll, 401 W. Channel Islands Blvd. Oxnard. Funeral mass: 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22 at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 463 W. Pleasant Valley Rd., Oxnard. Internment: 10:30 a.m. at Santa Clara Cemetery, 2370 North H St., Oxnard.