Samuel B. Durden Jr.

SPARTANBURG, SC-- Samuel B. Durden, Jr, age 80, after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with a rare form of pancreatic/liver cancer entered into heaven on Saturday, February 27, 2016. Sam passed away at home "surrounded by love" with his wife of 58 years, Carole Reese Durden and his family at his side.
He was the beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Sam was born in Statesville, NC, the son of the late Samuel B. Durden Sr. and Edna Ross Durden. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended the University of Florida and served as an MP in the Army Reserves.
He was employed by Walter J. Parks Engineering firm, then with Smith and Gillespie Engineers in Jacksonville, Florida. Sam and Carole and their 2 sons, Tim and Eric moved to South Carolina in 1973. He worked as a Civil Engineer for Lockwood-Greene Engineers for 27 years and retired in 2000.
Sam loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his family, and his country. He was a faithful member in his home church, South-side Baptist Church, Spartanburg and his second church home, Meat Camp Baptist Church in Boone, NC. He served as Deacon at Southside and was a devoted member of the Sanctuary Choir for 42 years.
Sam also loved to snow ski, which started in 1970's when he and Carole served as chaperones for youth events from the church. He won many awards in his age group for skiing, especially for slalom. He loved to camp in the North Carolina Mountains and considered Boone, NC his second home.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carole Reese Durden, two sons, Tim A. Durden and his wife, Teresa of Lexington, SC; Eric Durden and his wife, Tammy of Mechanicsville, Virginia. "Papa Sam" has four grandchildren, Alan, Matthew and his wife Alyssa, Samantha, and Jonathan, and great-granddaughter, Claire. Sam is also survived by his closest friends of over 60 years, Jim and Judy McClelland of Jacksonville, Florida.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM at Southside Baptist Church, 316 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary. The church service will be conducted by the Rev. Eric Durden (Sam and Carole's son) and the Rev. Dr. Schuyler Peterson. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by Rev. Mike Townsend of Boone, NC. A reception will be held at Southside Baptist Church reception hall after the interment. Pallbearers will be Sam's grandsons, Alan, Matthew, and Jonathan, along with Mike Harrington, Duane Toney, and Bill Martin. Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of Sam's Sunday School Class.
Memorials may be made to The Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child in Boone, NC or a charity of one's choice. The family would like to express a special thanks and appreciation to the nurses and aides of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Hospice for their guidance and support.
An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.
Floyd's North Church St. Chapel