Jimmy Gwen Duraso

Jimmy Duraso, 78, was born December 25th, 1946 in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana to James Duraso and Gwenona Thorpe Duraso. He left his earthly body Friday, March 28th, 2025 at his home in Belmont and was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior!

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, 9696 Hwy 175, Belmont, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home. A visitation will be held Monday, March 31, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A burial will follow at Belmont Cemetery in Belmont, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Brother Buddy Freeman with the eulogy by Buddy Free. The burial will be officiated by Brother Taylor Stephens.

Jimmy was one of those people that once you met him, he left an imprint on your life in some way; whether it be the stories of friends and family, things he “got into” when he was younger, driving his log truck, Vietnam, or trying to keep Brenda in line (he would always say SHE was a full-time job)! He had a heart of gold and would do anything in his power to help you.

When Jimmy got the orders for Vietnam he went with no hesitation. If you knew Jimmy, you knew he loved to serve his country and he did so proudly. After coming home, he joined the National Guard and served for 7 years. Those years of his life introduced him to lifelong friends that he was honored to have.

Jimmy married the love of his life, Brenda Isgitt Duraso, in 1994. Together, they built a wonderful life for 31 years doing things they loved like traveling. He was always ready for those spur of the moment road trips with his love. Jimmy would often take Brenda cross country with him, seeing 48 states. He had so many stories of those trips but especially of the beautiful sites they both saw together. Together was his favorite place to be with his wife that he cherished! Jimmy’s love for driving was a lifelong commitment so much so that he traded the cross-country truck in and became a log truck driver. His favorite boss was Mr. Johnny Jenkins of Jenkins Logging whom he held the highest respect for! That was his family. He always loved working and even later returned to work after his retirement.

If you didn’t see Jimmy riding around with Brenda or at church you would most likely see him outside doing what he loved; sitting on his porch, walking around his yard, looking at his animals, and watching Brenda work in their garden. He was always a busy man and always ready to jump in the vehicle to go eat or go watch westerns at his brother-in-law, Bobby’s house.

He held a special place in many people’s hearts especially his grandkids and they in return loved their grandpa Jimmy aka “Pa Jimmy”. His grand and great grandkids were truly his treasures. He loved each one of them so much and he loved to brag on them. He was definitely a proud Paw Paw! His great nieces held a special place in his heart too. They would often run on the porch and yell across the yard, PAWWWW! He would then say, “heyyy my girls!!!!” They loved their Paw!

A life lived to the fullest, we know that Jimmy was a devoted, Godly man. He loved church, he loved telling you about Jesus and was going to be ordained as a deacon in October of 2025 at Spring Ridge. He was so proud. If you met Jimmy Duraso, you met a man with compassion, pride for his Country, love for his Lord and Savior and his family and made a friend for life.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, TK, Shane, and Phil; and sisters, Rose, Ginger, and Robbie. He survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; sons, Jimmy Gwen Duraso, Jr and wife, Melinda and Guthrie Sistrunk and wife, Brittney; stepson, Maurice Messina; daughters, Tammy Hendricks, Shana Sistrunk, and Dellie Martin; sisters, Dee and Belinda; brothers, Richard and Dennis; grandchildren, Tyler, Dylan, Clayton, Trevor, Trent, Nate, Faith, Madison, Kason, Dylan, and Maxim; great-grandchildren, Addy and Weston; brothers-in-law, Allen and wife, Vicki, Benny and wife, Cheryl, Bobby and wife, Janice, and Richard and wife, Marcia and a host of nieces, nephews and precious friends.

Honoring Jimmy as pallbearers will be Trent Chaney, Trevor Chaney, Clayton Duraso, Dylan Duraso, Tyler Duraso, Nate Jennings, Ethan Jones, and Dylan Torres. Serving as honorary pall bearers will be Dub Bernard, Allen Isgitt, Richard Isgitt, Bobby Isgitt, Benny Isgitt, Brandon Isgitt, Richard Duraso, and Dennis Duraso.