Allen Eugene Durr

Allen Eugene Durr, age 83, of Bolivar, Missouri passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Allen was born on January 27, 1941, in Dalhart, Texas to Van Allen Durr and Velma Christine (Potter) Durr. Allen was the third of ten children, having 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to the southwest Missouri area. As a young child Allen attended Oakland school, a one room schoolhouse near Springfield, Missouri. In 1952 the family moved just north of Springfield to Willard, Missouri, where he attended school until graduating in May of 1959.
After completing high school, Allen joined the Army and trained as a radio man at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before being transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey. Following discharge from active duty in December of 1959, Allen and the love of his life Doris Dean McVay eloped on January 21, 1960. Allen and Doris met as teenagers at Scenic Drive Nazarene Church and were married at the home of their then pastor, Wendell Paris, in Carthage, Missouri. From this union, three children were born: Kathy Ann, David Allen, and Pamela Jean.
After discharge from the Army, Allen worked for Dayco Rubber Company before going into business for himself in construction. Allen spent many years building homes and dairy barns in the Greene and Polk County areas and was well known for being reliable, hard-working, and honest. In the early-1980s, Allen went to work for Paris Construction, overseeing the development of the Elfindale shopping center and Creekside retirement village in Springfield, Missouri. Following the completion of that large project, Allen became the commercial construction superintendent for Morelock-Ross Builders, managing the construction of many Mid-Missouri banks, health care clinics, and retail shopping centers. Upon retiring, Allen traded his hammer for a fishing pole and enjoyed many fishing trips with his wife, children, and grandkids.
During his life Allen enjoyed bowling, planting vegetable gardens, oil painting, crappie and bass fishing, and attending the various events and activities of his children and grandchildren. Allen was a long-time member of One Life Church in Springfield, Missouri, and enjoyed visiting with his church friends and attending gospel music concerts. One of his favorite places to visit with friends was Cedars Family Restaurant on South Campbell Avenue where he was well known to all the waitresses and other 'regulars'.
Allen is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris Dean (McVay) Durr, daughter Kathy Howe of Bolivar, son David Durr and wife Cathy of Bolivar, daughter Pamela Hillenburg of Republic, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are his two sisters Rosalene Martin and husband Charles, and Marjorie Carleton and husband Marvin, both of Springfield; four sisters-in-law Nancy Durr of Republic, Carol Jo (Durr) Sowards of Springfield, Saundra Durr of Springfield, and Debbie Usowski and husband Peter of Centerville, Virginia; brother-in-law Bob Daniel of West Plains, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents Van and Velma (Potter) Durr; brothers Tim Durr, Cecil Durr, Bobby Durr, and Ron Durr; sisters Christine Thompson, Patricia Pojar and Juanita Cheek; sister-in-law Dea Daniel; son-in-law Robert (Bob) Howe; nephews Phillip Durr, Curtis Pojar, and Jeff Durr; and nieces Saundra Renee Durr and Freda Durr.
A memorial service will be held at Klinger-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel, 5234 W. State Highway EE, Springfield, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Larry White will be officiating with Pastor Bruce McCrite reading the obituary.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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