Robert R. Durko

There is a poem by Linda Ellis that talks about the dash between the dates that represent the life that someone has lived and what a life was lived by Bob.
Robert was born in Tarrytown, New York, to Michael J. and Mary Durko, and spent much of his young life in New York and Delaware. He would eventually graduate in 1955 from Hernando High School in Brooksville, Florida, where he enjoyed playing basketball.
Soon after graduation Robert enlisted in the Army which he served in for three years until 1959 when he then changed branches to serve in the Air Force for twenty additional years. He started his Air Force service as a Jet Engine Mechanic and then as a Histology Technician. He would take this career into his civilian life once he retired from the military in 1977.
In 1959 Robert met and married the love of his life, Shirley. They would go on to spend 65 wonderful years together having three children, Robert, Fred, and Mary. Much of their family's early life was spent in the military traveling and living in several places including El Paso, Texas, Omaha, Nebraska, and Lakenheath, England. Robert also spent time serving in Germany, Lebanon, Spain, and Turkey.
He would eventually decide to retire from the military in Fort Worth, Texas, where he would work for HCA - Medical Plaza and Harris Hospital before finally retiring from work in 2011. As a loving father and grandfather, Robert took pride in being at all the soccer games, band events, and many other activities that he could go to. His heart was always full to the brim of love for all his family members and he was loved tremendously by them. Robert may be gone from us physically, but he will never be gone from our hearts. We can all see the lasting positive affect he had on our lives.
Robert was preceded in death by his father, Michael J. Durko; mother, Mary (Kuba) Durko; brother, Joseph Durko; and son, Robert M. Durko.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Fred Durko and wife, Christie; daughter, Mary (Durko) Ledbetter; daughter-in-law, Debbie (wife of Robert M. Durko); and grandchildren, Justin Durko and wife, Laura, Joseph M. Durko, Forrest Ledbetter, Camille Durko Anderson and husband, Ryan, Annabella Durko and Samuel Durko.
His Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday May 30, at West Freeway Church of Christ located at 1900 S. Las Vegas Trail, Fort Worth, Texas. An interment will follow the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, in the Sandburg Suite at Mount Olivet Chapel.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the West Freeway Family Fund (1900 S. Las Vegas Trail Fort Worth, TX 76108 (817-246-8000)