William Eric "Kurt" Durner

William Eric "Kurt" Durner of Charlotte Hall, Maryland, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025, at the age of 67. Born on June 2, 1957, in Washington, D.C., Kurt was the beloved son of the late William Eric Durner and Barbara Durner (Dye). Raised in Forestville, Maryland, his parents wanted a little more space for their two sons and moved to Dentsville when Kurt was 12.
Kurt graduated Thomas Stone High School in 1975. He had joined La Plata Volunteer Fire Department about that same year. After two years of college, he worked primarily in construction. Taking evening college courses in the 1990s, he earned his Master Electrician's license in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C., along with his fiber-optic wiring and fire alarm certifications. A dedicated and skilled Master Electrician, Kurt proudly served for many years with IBEW Local 26, where he was known for his expertise, work ethic, and camaraderie among his peers.
During his proud years working for Commercial Power Inc. young training electricians began to call him Uncle Kurt out of respect. One young man brought his siblings to holiday events at Kurt's church. These young men began to include Kurt in weddings and family events. Of course, Kurt also enjoyed time spent with his own nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, a group that now numbers 45 and counting.
On September 12, 1981, Kurt married the love of his life, Judith Ann Swann, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport, Maryland. Together they built a life centered around love, family, and faith. Kurt was a devoted husband and father, and his greatest joy was his daughter, Laura Jeanette Gustafson, of Charlotte Hall, MD, who survives him. He shared a special friendship with his son-in-law, Jeff Gustafson. He will also be missed by his beloved grandchildren, Benjamin, Ava and Isla.
Kurt and Judy built their own home which took nearly 2 years to complete with many details of woodworking talent by Kurt. Kurt enjoyed Bluegrass music and he and Judy traveled to attend some concerts out of the area, which included travels of early American history sites from Virginia to Massachusetts.
Kurt had a love of books and kept shelves of them in their home. Some were text books from college on the subjects of calculus and physics, and one volume had a folded report card from 1977 noting that he received straight A's.
In recent years he began to watch more TV and enjoyed baseball and trivia game shows that he would answer out loud.
"I might get it wrong but we gotta try anyway."
He is survived by his brother, William Eric "Barry" Durner, with whom he shared a lifetime of memories, stories, and enduring brotherhood.
A memorial service to honor Kurt's life will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at All Faith Episcopal Church, located at 38885 New Market Turner Road in Mechanicsville, MD, with Reverend Debbie Kirk officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kurt's memory to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society, causes close to his heart.
Kurt will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering devotion to his family, and the legacy of love and craftsmanship he leaves behind.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., Charlotte Hall, MD.
Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.