Dale Odean Durham Jr.

** For those unable to attend the service, please see the livestream here:In Memory of Dale Durham, Jr. **
Dale Odean Durham Jr. entered his 74th year in the most unplanned manner possible, and if you knew my dad for more than 5 minutes, you would know that was completely out of character. His plans had plans with multiple categories of notes and cross-references. But this week, all of our plans were cleared and we were highly aware of this new, unfamiliar territory we entered – without plans. Dad passed away early Friday, March 3rd in a moment that we were not prepared for, and that was unexpected in timing.
Born March 1, 1949 to the late Dale Odean Durham Sr and Lorraine Jean Durham in Elgin, Illinois, he was the oldest of two children and spent his first few years in Illinois before his dad came home from work one day and announced a move to California. In 1962 they moved into a new home in Costa Mesa, California where the girl next door caught his eye and plans began – he and mom, Patty, were married in 1970, but not before some childhood antics with best buds Lenny and Jim, who would become lifelong friendships.
Dale graduated from Pepperdine University with a juris doctorate and started the first half of his career as a contract lawyer. A corporate takeover thwarted his plans and a new set of plans emerged as he and his brother Dave bought a wholesale candy distribution company which they operated for 25 years.
Three girls once again changed all his plans as ribbons, long hair and tea parties became the norm, which certainly pushed him out of his comfort zone and territory in which there were no road maps. He leaned in on the tomboy of the family, Heather, who launched his coaching days in softball, which lasted long after Heather stopped playing. Just today, as we gather to make plans for his funeral and final arrangements, we found notes (plans if you will) for his grandson Brodie on his baseball skills. His note taking game was strong right up to the end!
After retirement, he and mom had plans for travel, which they did for a few years before leukemia changed his itinerary and set a new course for life. Years of treatment afforded some stability in his health, although he was never the same, and the consequences of chemo and transplants would forever change his health. Those additional years allowed him to meet his final two grandchildren, and allow his other 5 grandchildren more time to know him.
Dale is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years Patty and brother Dave. His three daughters, Melissa Diels, Stephanie Sheridan and Heather Schott are left with a lifetime of notes and plans, which I'm sure will not disappoint with nuggets of reminders of his ideas and thoughts, and a reminder to live life to the fullest. His 7 grandchildren – Rebecca, Nathan, Brodie, Aaron, Bailey, Ellie and Logan will without a doubt miss 'Pop Pop', and recall fond memories of tootsie rolls, baseball, trains and trips for ice cream.
As we look ahead to life without dad, I'm not sure our plans will ever be the same – there will be a void that will never be filled. We will face life without an agenda, and work on making our plans together, perhaps the legacy he will leave behind – being together.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 10th, 2023 in the Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home. Pastor Walt Pohland of Faith Lutheran Church will be officiating. A Reception will be held following the service in the Reception Hall of Ramsey Funeral Home.