Pamela Duhon

Pamela Sue (Hurt) Duhon

September 8, 1959 - March 4, 2024

Pam Duhon had a heart of gold, mind like a steel trap and a laugh that lit up every room she entered. She was born September 8, 1959, the only child of Sue Ellen (Buzan) Hurt and Everett Wendell (Wendy) Hurt; was the loving wife to Dr. Jay Daniel Duhon, and mother to Stephen; steadfast friend, inspiration and mentor to many. She passed to early from this life, on March 4, 2025, after a sudden and brief illness.

She is survived by devoted husband Jay, stepson Stephen and his wife Cara, and three grandchildren Kristen, Ava and Cole. She also leaves behind father-in-law Joseph Duhon, sisters-in-law Kay and spouse David Hursey, Theresa and spouse Brian Guttuso and brother-in-law David Duhon and their children; and an extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins, all who were special to her. Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Susie and Wendy Hurt, mother-in-law Miriam Duhon, and several Buzan and Hurt family members.

Pam's life was colorful and full of style and passion. While her favorite color was turquoise, she also loved the orange and black that represented her time at Oklahoma State University (OSU). Purple, the color of The Horned-Frogs of Texas Christian University (TCU), however, trumped all on football game days, due to the influence of her husband, Jay. Pam and Jay were married in the TCU chapel on October 23, 1993, with a send-off floating in a brightly colored hot air balloon as a wedding present from Dee Smith, into their new life as a couple. They went on to share may wonderful memories throughout their almost 32 years as best friends and life partners.

Pam graduated from Edmond (Oklahoma) Memorial High School in 1977 and subsequently attended OSU where she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in psychology/rehabilitation counseling. While in college Pam made strong lifelong friendships with many and was even a successful matchmaker for two lifelong friends, Katrena and Tim McCollum. Throughout the years, Pam and Katrena were college classmates, roommates and professional colleagues. Pam was a steadfast friend who "showed up" for Katrena in some of the hardest and most exciting times of her life, and she leaves an indelible imprint on Katrena's life, as well. Through her work and life travels she found two more special friends in Christy Krages and Dee Smith.

Pam had a big passion for life and believed that everyone had value. She had a commitment and gift for helping others to find their value and to live independent, fulfilling lives, on their own terms. Pam loved people and dogs and adventure and music and laughter. She had a big heart and caring soul.

As an undergraduate student at OSU, Pam enjoyed working in hospital and health care settings and found a complementary passion in graduate school, studying in the field of Rehabilitation. She became a knowledgeable and skilled rehabilitation counselor/counselor-educator and later held positions in rehabilitation and allied health programs as program directors and health care administrators.

Following graduate school, she began her professional career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the of State of Wyoming, followed by working in the private rehabilitation sector as both a counselor/case manager and marking specialist, and then as an Assistant Professor/ Rehabilitation Counseling Educator at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (formerly Pan American University and The University of Texas-Pan American). Subsequently, Pam enjoyed a decades-long career in Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Administration and Leadership, in the DFW area. Her position as a Program Director at DFW Medical Center, catapulted into administrative positions at nearly 10 locations including North Dallas Rehab Hospital, NorthPark Health and Rehabilitation Center, Victoria Gardens of Frisco, Doctor Associates of North Texas, Advanced Health and Rehabilitation Center of Garland, The Legacy at Willow Bend, Rockwall Nursing Care Center and La Reve. In each position, Pam's focus and vision brought excellence in areas of rehabilitation, patient care, staff support, compliance and company infrastructure.

In her spare time, Pam was an exceptional cook, party planner, hostess, and shopping aficionado extraordinaire, welcoming family and guests into their home. She and Jay also loved boating. In recent years they enjoyed planning, building, decorating and furnishing their new lakeside home in Toledo Bend, Tx. where they planned to retire together.

Pam will be remembered for the way she lit up a room with her smile, drew people in with her laugh, and fiercely and lovingly lived her life. She will be missed hard by those who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lone Star Dog Ranch and Dog Ranch Rescue: dogranchrescue.com.