Durham Howard "Early" E.

Howard E. "Early" Durham, 98, peacefully passed away at home at Lake Monticello on Monday, January 21, 2019. Early was born on the family farm in Woodridge, Va., to John R. "Jack" Durham and Lillian A. Brooks Durham. He was preceded in death by his parents, nine brothers, two sisters; and Dorothy Easton Durham, his loving wife of over 50 years. An Army World War II Signal Corps veteran, he survived the landing on Normandy Beach, participating in operations in France, Germany, and Belgium. Afterwards he served as an electrical supervisor with UVA Medical Center and as a train engineer for the C&O Railroad. He was also an avid hunter and outdoorsman and a lifelong member of Hinton Avenue United Methodist Church. He is survived by his daughter, Donita (David) Ahearn; two granddaughters, Kristi (Jayson) DeHaai and Kimberly (Adam) Ahearn; a grandson, David (Jen) Ahearn, and seven great-grandchildren. The family sends a special thanks to his superb, dedicated caregivers, Margaret Jackson and Judy Cooke, and to the staff of Hospice of the Piedmont for unwavering, professional, and loving support. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Hill and Wood Funeral Home, in Charlottesville, Va. Members of the immediate family will receive guests at 11 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 12 p.m. conducted by the Rev. James Hardwick. Burial will immediately follow at the Monticello Memory Gardens, 670 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22911, www.hopva.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.