Newton Daily News, The (IA) - Friday, July 8, 2016 [edited]

Richard "Dick" Durant, 81, of Newton died on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral service and lunch at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials to the First Lutheran Church.

Richard, the son of Ragan Aldo and Dorothy (Mahl) Durant, was born on May 17, 1935, in Newton. He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1953. Later, he earned a B.A. degree from Cameron College in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Richard was married to Carole Breckenridge-Raridon in 1954 and they were blessed with three children, Denise, Terri, and Rick.

Richard served his country in the military for 22 years, spending 12 years in the United States Air Force and 10 years in the United States Army, retiring in the mid 1970s. For 20 years Richard was a Junior ROTC instructor for Steinmetz College Prep.

In December of 1981, married Mary Dilley Morgan. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, American Legion, and First Lutheran Church. Richard enjoyed being outside, animals, and fishing. He also like going to casinos, tinkering, and car rides.

Surviving are his children, Denise Peterson of Newton, Terri (Todd) Lust of Mitchellville, and Rick Durant (Jackie Carley) of Trenton, Missouri; step-daughters, Heather (Jim) Storkan and Christie (Sam) Brancato, both of Illinois; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Marilyn Cox of Riverton, Wyoming, Sondra Ratliff of Raymore, Missouri, David (Judy) Hoyt of Newton, and Kathy (Keith) Sevenbergen of Newton; and his special friend, Sandra Troen Hafkey of Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ragan Durant and Dorothy Durant Hoyt; step-father, Clifton Hoyt; brothers, Ragan Durant Jr. and Ronald Durant; two wives, Carole Breckenridge-Raridon Durant and Mary C. Durant; and a grandson, Dylan Peterson.