Don Durrant

Donald King Durrant, 69, of Featherville and Rio Rico, Ariz., passed away, in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, after an extended illness.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Don was born on April 13, 1941, in Idaho Falls. He was born the son of Donald Owen and Naomi Durrant. He was the youngest of five and the only boy. The family moved to Aberdeen when Don was three years old and that is where Don grew up and attended school. Don enjoyed growing up in the small town and was proud that he had four older sisters to keep him straight, although most of the time it was the opposite. Don graduated from Aberdeen High School in May of 1959.

Don joined the US Air Force in November 1959. While in the military he was assigned to Lackland AFB, Texas, Sidi Slimane AB, Morocco, Castle AFB, Calif., Wurtsmith AFB, Mich., Washington, D.C., Grand Forks AFB, N.D., Fuchu

AS, Japan, Hill AFB, Utah, Presidio of Monterey, Vandenberg AFB, Calif., McConnell AFB, Kan., and Boise, Idaho.

The first three years of his military career he was in personnel and the remainder of the time was spent as a special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

While on active duty, Don attended college classes and earned a bachelor's degree from Park University.

He retired from the Air Force in March 1980 and in November 1980 he was hired as a civilian by the Department of Defense in the same capacity he was in while on active duty. He worked as a civilian investigator until June

2001, at which time he retired from civil service.

He worked as a self employed contract investigator for awhile but was contacted by his former organization after 9-11 and asked if he would be willing to return to work under the Emergency Homeland Security Act. He went

back to work and then retired "for good" in September of 2005.

Don married Joan Mullins in February of 1965. Don became the father of three children during this marriage. Todd Durrant, who was Joanšs child by a previous marriage and was adopted by Don in February of 1968, Darren Durrant

was born March 18, 1966, and Nikka Durrant Ford, who was born, Jan. 22, 1972, in Seoul, South Korea and adopted by Don and Joan in April of 1973.

Don was very proud of all his children and if there was anything at all he would changed, it would be that he himself would have been a better father.

Don's marriage to Joan ended in divorce in 1981 and he was single for eight years.

Don met his true love, Suzanne Rankin, at the golf course in Mountain Home and they were married in February of 1989. Don and Suzanne enjoyed traveling, playing golf and gardening, though gardening was mostly Suzanne's passion.

Don and Suzanne had a home in Featherville for many years and they enjoyed spending weekends at Featherville and enjoyed the many friends they made in the Pine/Featherville area. In the summer of 2006, Don and Suzanne moved to

Featherville, and they built a small home in Rio Rico, Ariz., where they lived during the winter.

In 2005, Don was diagnosed with a terminal illness and the disease started to slowly affect him. From that time on until his passing, Suzanne was there every minute taking care of him and seeing to his every need. This is when Don learned about true love.

Prior to moving to Featherville, Don lived in Mountain Home for almost 30 years. He was a member of the Men's Golf Association and served as president on two occasions. He was a long-time, inactive member of American Legion Post 26. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Elmore County,

serving as president in 1994/1995.

Don is survived by his wife, Suzanne, his son Todd Alan Durrant, his son Darren King Durrant, his daughter Nikka Kim Durrant, his granddaughter Mikayla Durrant and grandson Parker Doyle Ford, his sister Carma Jo Shackelford of Aberdeen and his sister Don Etta Hulkovich of Pocatello, his

brother-in-law Charles Shackelford of Aberdeen, and numerous nephews, nieces, great nieces and great nephews, and his faithful companions Jesse, Taylor and Schiimsa, all Border Collies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest sister, Colleen Durrant Brake, his youngest sister, Arletta Joyce Durrant, his granddaughter Heather Durrant, his brother-in-law Lewis Brake and his brother-in-law Fred Hulkovich.

Because of Don's extended illness he received extensive medical care for several years and therefore came in contact with a great number of medical caregivers. This experience instilled in Don a profound love and respect for

all health care providers. It angered Don a great deal when hearing people and politicians badmouthing the healthcare industry in the United States.

Don wanted to recognize those who helped and made his quality of life better. Number one caregiver was his wife (Nurse Ratched) who changed dressings when necessary, made sure Don took medicine, kept track of the medicines, and kept track of all appointments and made sure Don knew when he had appointments. For years Suzanne took care of Don with never a word of complaint, even though she had every reason to complain.

Don expressed thanks and appreciation to Dr. Lisa Law, St. Lukes Hospital, Dr. Richard Starkey, in Mountain Home, and Dr. Bruce Porterfield, Green Valley, Ariz. He wanted to especially show appreciation to Sharon, Jessica, David, Lois, Leah and Mariam at the Nurses' Outpatient Clinic, fourth floor, St. Lukes Hospital in Boise, and appreciation to Sonja, Linda, Jacque, Elizabeth and Shelby at the Nurses' Outpatient Clinic Corondolet Medical Group, in Green Valley, Ariz., and special appreciation to Jo, Katie and Theresa at the Outpatient Clinic, Elmore Medical Center in Mountain Home, and for those occasions that Don was hospitalized in Mountain Home, he wanted to express appreciation to all caregivers on the floor, with special

thanks to Blake and to Lucy, who were always there with a dry gown and warm blanket.

Don appreciated the support and concern from his family members and friends.

His daughter Nikka, being a daughter, was always there for him. His sisters, nieces, and nephews showed great support. Friend John Bideganeta was always there with words of hope and encouragement. Friends Dennis Brown, Nancy and Jerry Mason were a great help to Don during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Best Friends in Kanab, Utah, or the Elmore County Humane Society, Mountain Home, or the Santa Cruz County Humane Society, Nogales, Ariz., or to your own favorite charity. And of

course to any agency dedicated to finding a cure for cancer or MDS.

This obituary was authorized by Don.