John Durrett Sr.

1929 - 2022

John Austin Durrett, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 26, 2022. He was born on July 24, 1929, in Dallas, TX to Woody and Imogene Durrett. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University. He spent his entire career in the insurance business, first with the Firemen's Fund in Dallas and San Francisco, followed by Wright & Percy Insurance in Baton Rouge, where he worked until retirement after a career lasting over 30 years. An avid sportsman, John and his family spent many years at "The Camp" on Bayou Corne. He was both a duck hunter and a fisherman and was so skilled in catching speckled trout he earned the nickname "Dr. Spec." John's greatest love was his wife of nearly 70 years, Marjory Lois Houchens Durrett, whom he married on January 25, 1952. Marjory battled Multiple Sclerosis for 54 years and with John's support she was able to walk up until her passing a year ago. He had a great love of family and cherished the holidays, a time in which he and Marjory would open their home to multiple generations, extended family, and friends. John is preceded in death by his wife, Marjory; daughter, Marjory Lois; parents Woody and Imogene Durrett; and brother, Emory Durrett. He is survived by three sons, of whom he was extremely proud, John Durrett, Jr. and wife, Marguerite, Steven Durrett and wife, Theresa, and Andrew Durrett and wife, Melissa; grandchildren, Austin Durrett and wife, Jill, Chris Durrett and wife, Crystal, Collin Durrett, Alexis Durrett, Myles Durrett and Angelica Durrett; great-grandchildren, Emma Durrett and Elliott Durrett; and numerous nieces and nephews, especially his beloved niece Dana Pfaff. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, from 12pm until the time of funeral services at 2pm. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. John's family would like to thank his caregivers, who provided comfort and companionship during the past year.