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John D. Durham

John Durham Obituary

BYRAM -- John D. Durham, 77, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, at Compassionate Care Hospice in Barn-Hill Care Center, Newton. Mr. Durham, the son of the late Jacob and Mary (Donehoo) Durham, was born in Birmingham, Ala., June 9, 1932. He resided in the Glenwood section of Vernon for 27 years, from 1974 to 2001, and had been living in Byram for the past two years.

Mr. Durham was regional life manager with State Farm Insurance Co. of Wayne, retiring in 1994 after 42 years of service. He was also the former owner of Apple Valley Inn Bed and Breakfast in Glenwood. Mr. Durham had formerly served as Sussex County Republican Chairman. He was a former Vernon Township mayor and committeeman in the 1980s and was past president of the Glenwood Cemetery Association. Mr. Durham was a member of Glenwood Baptist Church. He was an avid antique dealer and gardner, and was a member of the Appalachian Trail Conference.

Mr. Durham was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret Noah Durham, on July 11, 1973, and his second wife, Mitzi Durham, on April 1, 2000. He is survived by four children, John C. Durham of Milford, Pa., Elizabeth D. Orzolek of Bloomington, Ill., Mary Margarett D. Ervey of Byram and Kate H. Crook of Vaucresson, France; a sister, Diane Stephenson of Georgia; and six grandchildren, Megan Durham, Daniel Durham, John Allen Crook V, Georgia Crook, Charles Crook and Maggie Ervey.

Friends may call at the Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94, Vernon, on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A graveside service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery in Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 532 Lafayette Road, Sparta, NJ 07871.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The New Jersey Herald on Dec. 23, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for John Durham

20 Entries

Tom Hodge, Sr

May 21, 2010

To the Durham Family,

I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. Carolyn, my late wife, taught with Mitzi in Columbus, GA, and knew John and Mitzi from the time they married. We honeymooned at the Apple Valley Inn, and we visited John and Mitzi many times there. John was a good man, and a good friend. May God be with you all.

January 15, 2010

I only met your Dad a few times when I came to the Apple Valley Inn but I enjoyed his company. He and your Mom were always so nice to Karen and she learned so much from them. I'm sure your memories will help you though this hard time and that he is now at peace.

Carolyn Clark, Toms River, New Jersey

Bob Ingraham

January 11, 2010

To each of you.
I just found out about John's passing this morning 1/11/10. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with each of you. Your father and Mitzi made a huge impact in our life. They made us a part of your family, they helped us in our adoption expenses and were just dear friends.
I am so sorry about John's passing. God's grace, peace and comfort to each of you.
The Ingraham Family (Bob, Bev, Bethany, and Jeremy)

January 4, 2010

So sorry for your loss-our prayers and thoughts are with you. Rob and Marsha Clark

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Mary Grace Hix

January 3, 2010

Dear Durhams,

I am so sorry over the loss of your father. I know he will be missed by all. I just found out this morning, the 3rd of Jan. Otherwise I would have been at the services.

I enjoyed working for John and Mitzi and they were such good people. Our earthly loss is heavens gain. (And the Republicans need an advocate in heaven--for sure).

My deepest condolences.

Mary Grace Hix

Doug & Jo-Ann Sajewich

January 1, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this trying time. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Vince&Pat Trosino

December 28, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dan Scott

December 26, 2009

To the Durham Family,
My wife and I extend our sincere sympathy to you. He was truly a special person.
Dan Scott M.D Corporate retired

Paula Totoro-Austin

December 25, 2009

I was privileged to know your father for many years before his retirement. He always dealt fairly with his co-workers and agent partners. He will be missed.

Tom and Peg Kohle

December 25, 2009

To the Durham Family,

Tom and I would like to extend our sincere condolences for the loss of your father and our friend and coworker. John was a great man and will be missed.

December 25, 2009

Dear Durham Family,
John will truly be missed but in my memories as Poppie from the Gorman family. Nana & Poppie took our family under their wings and made us part of your family. John will truly be missed, but will be in my heart forever!. Love Debi Gorman & Boys (Josh & Brandon)

December 24, 2009

our sympathy to the family. He was a special guy.

Barb and Chan Charlson

Marlon Nettleton

December 24, 2009

To the Durham family, I replaced or should I say tried to replace John after his 30 years as Life/Health Manager of the Northeastern Office. John was loved by all! John was a great individual! I have a lot of great memories, including stopping by his B&B. My sincere condolences.

Steve O'Conor

December 24, 2009

I have fond memories of spending time with John and your family at the old Apple Valley Inn (with 'Bama underfoot) and, of course, discussing politics with him at Pochuck Valley Farms. He made strangers feel like friends, a true Southern Gentleman. My sincere condolences to your family.

Jim O'Donnell

December 24, 2009

Having worked with John at State Farm for many years, we have a special place for him in our hearts. Our working together has led to a specail friendship that has lasted a lifetime.

We still remember helping write the song... "Come on in to the Apple Valley Inn, and say hello to Misty and John... "

Our deep condolences to the family. Jim & Carol OD

Steve & Lori Klinzing

December 23, 2009

Dear Durham Family - We extend our sincere condolences. John was an amazing man. He was a true gentleman who loved life and made sure that everyone around him enjoyed life too! He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jim Malay

December 23, 2009

Dear Durham Family
Our entire family has nothing but the best memories of your Dad, a truly amazing guy. Because of State Farm meetings, we had many opportunities to share some great experiences. We will especially remember several happy stays at the Apple Valley Inn. Our deepest condolences to all. Jim & Elaine

Kathy Honig

December 23, 2009

Many years ago, my husband was the
Sussex Co. Prosecutor. We attended
many political events with John and he was a true gentleman. He
made his mark on Sussex County and
we are all in a better place because
of his contributions. Please know that
you have my sympathy. It is so hard to
lose a loved one at any time, but I'm
sure, even worse during the holidays.

Jennifer Braun

December 23, 2009

Dear Mary, Gary, Maggie, and the rest of the Durham Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We felt privileged to know John at Waterloo Church. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Jen, Jim, James, and Jessica

Joyce Snook

December 23, 2009

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Durham family! Mr. Durham was a great man! He will be missed by all -- family, friends in Vernon, friends at State Farm, all....

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