Thomas H. Durnford

DURNFORD
Thomas H.
1926 - 2017
Life slipped quietly away as Tom Durnford rested in his home in Sylvania, Ohio, on Sunday, March 12, 2017.
He was a fine fellow. Tom was born in Columbus, Ohio to the late Dorothy and Dewey Durnford Sr. on November 12, 1926. He graduated from North High School, Columbus, and attended Ohio State University before he was selected to serve with the 78th Division, U.S. Army in Berlin, Germany. He returned to Ohio State in 1946 where he met his future wife, Nancy Lou Bauman. They were
married in Columbus in 1950.
In 1955, Tom and Nancy moved to Toledo for his work as a color correction artist at Graphic Arts Corporation. After their three children were born, the Durnfords moved to Sylvania, where they have lived for fifty years.
Tom became Director of Publications for The University of Toledo and retired from that position in 1998. He had completed his Bachelor of Arts degree there. During his tenure at the university, Tom designed publications, the Bancroft Street entrance, the president's mace and a moveable type face as well as managing the office.
Tom was an artist painting in watercolor. He was known for his publication of an annual calendar and note cards illustrated with his work. His paintings have been exhibited with the Monday Morning Painters, the Toledo Artists' Club, the Ohio Watercolor Society, and the Toledo Museum of Art as well as elsewhere throughout the United States. He was a respected and admired teacher and mentor to many throughout his career.
Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Tim and Jon (Marianne Ries); and grandchildren, Andrew and Susan (Matthew Paniagua); and special nieces and nephew, Vicki, Kathi, Chanda, and Parker Durnford; his beloved daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Howard Snipes passed away in 1989.
The Durnford family is most grateful for the prayers, love and support of neighbors and friends, folks of McCord Road Christian Church and our nurses and aide from ProMedica Hospice during Tom's illness. A private gathering and burial will take place in Toledo Memorial Park, Sylvania, OH, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to McCord Road Christian Church, 4765 McCord Rd., Sylvania, OH 43560 or Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr., Toledo, OH 43615.
As published in The Blade