Dallas Durst

LEON — Dallas Richard Durst, 82, of Leon, passed away suddenly at his home Wednesday, September 9, 2015.

Dallas was born August 19, 1933, in Leon, the son of the late James Wilbur and Edna Mae (Blume) Durst. In addition to his parents, his brother, James "Jim" Durst; sister and brother-in-law, Ora Mae and Henry Hunt; brother, Roy Hall; son-in-law, Roy Taylor and a brother-in-law, Vitus Hartley, Jr. also preceded him in death.

He was a 1951 graduate of Point Pleasant High School and spent most of his working career as a heavy equipment operator and supervisor on road construction. His last job was with Vecellio and Grogan as a road construction superintendent on mostly Interstate Highways. His career ended on March 31, 1978, when he suffered an injury on his job that left him paralyzed from the breast down.

His life from that point on was an inspiration to all those around him. He often remarked that he was "making the best of a bad situation." Dallas was also an asset to the community of Leon, serving on the Town Council, soliciting funds for a roof to the town hall, serving on the park board and other projects. He was a doer, and hard to refuse when he wanted you to do something. He was very dedicated to his family and just wanted to fix everything for everybody.

Dallas is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Beverly (Herdman) Durst; son, Dallas Richard "Rick" Durst, II, and his wife Sherry Burdette Durst of Leon; daughter, Leslie Durst Taylor and fiancé Tim Yannayon of Leonardtown, Md.; his beloved grandchildren, grandson, Caleb Richard Durst and his wife Brea Dill Durst and his precious great grandsons, Liam, Coen and Kylan Durst all of Southside; his granddaughter, Jessica Durst Bailey and her husband, Ryan Bailey, and beautiful little great granddaughter Isla Elaine Bailey all of Leon, granddaughter, Beverly Taylor Adams and her husband, Chris Adams of California, Md.; step grandsons, Michael Taylor, Phillip Taylor and Anthony Quade; sisters, Ethel Hartley of Point Pleasant, and Erma Kapp (Bob) of Columbus, Ohio; brothers, Albert Durst (Mary) and Bill Durst (Katherine) all of Leon; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Hall of Leon, and Pat Durst of Springfield, La., and a host nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Casto Funeral Home Chapel, Evans, with the Rev. Fred Sparks, pastor of Leon Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Creston Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, and from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Saturday, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contribution be made to the Leon Baptist Church Food Pantry at Leon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 155, Leon, WV 25123.

Condolences may be shared with the family at: castofuneralhome.com