Denver Durham

 Denver Durham passed away at his home on Thursday morning, January 20, 2022 in Winchester.  He lived for 88 years, 9 months, and 28 days.

Denver was born to Zella Ann Cain Durham and Hulbert Jack Durham on March 22, 1933 at Lawhorn Hill, Casey County, Kentucky.  In 1943, at the age of ten, Denver moved with his parents to Randolph County, Indiana.  Denver started school in Poplar Springs, Kentucky and graduated in 1952 from Wayne High School, Union City, Indiana, where he was president of his class and amazingly he and his classmates continued to maintain close bonds.

Denver was drafted in the United States Army and served from 1953-1955, stationed at Seoul and Sound Victory, Korea.  After service one weekend he went home with an Army buddy, Tom Coppess, of Sheridan, Indiana, there he met the love of his life, Deloris Esther Grinstead.  She was at a local soda shop with her sister Carole, and secretly told her sister that he was the man she would marry.  And soon, on October 23, 1955, at Boxley United Methodist Church, he married Deloris.  They celebrated 66 years of marriage in 2021.

Denver enjoyed many things, like gardening, horses, especially Belgians, bluegrass music, sports, card games, the warmth of the sun, a good baseball game, hand cranked ice cream, time in the woods, cutting wood and giving many loads away to neighbors and friends.  A favorite pastime was spent peacefully whittling a piece of cedar wood.

Denver was a journeyman mould maker, working at Overmyer Mould for 35 years, retiring in 1990.  He then drove a school bus for Randolph Central from 1992-2013.  He drove and cared for the special need passengers of bus #19.  Denver was a 4-H horse and pony leader, member of Jericho Friends Church since 1971 serving on many committees and supporting and encouraging the youth.  He constructed a softball field at his home to host many church league games.

Denver was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Palice, infant, in 1921 and Archie in 2015; his in-laws, Paul and Beulah Grinstead; 2 brothers-in-law, 1 sister-in-law; a nephew; and his beloved son, Paul Boyd Durham in 2018.

Denver is survived by his wife, Deloris; two daughters, Elaine (Martin) Wells, Deanna (Mark) Lake; a son, Trent (Carla) Durham; and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Jo Durham.  He was Pappaw to: 9 Grands: Marta, Johnce (Rachel), Kacey, Dillon (Krystal), Danielle, Dustin, Jessica, Brittany, and Brian.  He was Pappaw Great to: 9 Great Grands: Hadleigh, Milania, Maddalena, Kashton, Arabella, Teagan, Landon, Kori and Carson.  We, his survivors, will cherish the example of the marriage and life he and Deloris made together, and know how fortunate we were to belong to them.

Our family is thankful for the wonderful care Denver was given by: Paula, Alyssa, Jeff, Faye, Catherine, Everheart Hospice and Dr. Brian Lumpkin.

A celebration of Denver’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Jericho Friends Church, 4010 E. CR 100 S., Winchester, IN, officiated by Dan Smetzer.  A time of visiting will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2022, as well as 1 hour prior to celebration on Tuesday, at Jericho. A burial with military services will be at Jericho Cemetery.  Your gifts in memory of Denver can be given to Jericho Friends Church.

Walker Funeral Home in Winchester is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerswinchester.com.

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