Don Warren Duran

A memorial service for Don Warren Duran will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Lufkin with the Reverend Gordon Blackman, Jr. officiating. A private graveside service for family will be held at a later date.

Don Warren Duran of Lufkin, Texas was born January 21, 1947 in Carthage, Texas to the late Warren A. Duran and Sybil Crews (Lacy) Duran, and died Friday, August 18, 2023 following a sudden and brief illness.

Don lived in Baytown, Texas from ages 3 to 12, after which the family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in 1965 where he played football and other sports and was named “Mr. Gusher” (the name of the school yearbook). Don received his Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctor Degree from Southern Methodist University. During his years at SMU he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he made lifelong friends.

On July 31, 1971 Don married Mary Leah Poss in Shreveport, then graduated from law school in 1972. After living in Dallas for a short time Don and Mary Leah moved to Lufkin, Texas where they have resided and where Don has practiced law for the past 49 years. On January 29, 1976 Don and Mary Leah received the biggest surprise of their lives when Mary Leah gave birth to twin girls. Lacy and Liz were Don’s greatest joy, as were his four grandchildren. He was a devoted father and grandfather, always making their activities a priority.

Don was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Lufkin where he served as Deacon, Elder, and on various committees. His faith in God and his church life were very important to him. He was a member of the Angelina County Bar Association and one of the most respected lawyers in East Texas. Don was a man of honesty and integrity, and his generosity touched people in all walks of life.

Don’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, reading and cooking. He loved music of all kinds, from classical and sacred to the Beach Boys, Motown, and country. Most weekends Don could be found at his favorite place, Lake Murvaul. If he was not there he would be in Dallas watching his grandchildren’s sports and activities or tailgating on the Boulevard before SMU football games.

Don was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Leah Duran; daughters and sons-in-law, Lacy and Todd Redmond of Dallas, and Liz and Brett Brantley of Dallas; grandchildren, Bretton Brantley, Andrew Redmond, Warren Redmond, and Phoebe Brantley, all of Dallas; brother and sister-in-law, Ross Duran and Nancy Goss Duran of Portland, Oregon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 607 Janeway Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904; Ellen Trout Zoo, 402 Zoo Circle, Lufkin, Texas 75904; or Christian Information and Service Center (CISC), 501 S Angelina Street, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com, and livestreaming of the services may be viewed on the First Presbyterian Church Facebook page.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.