Jack W Durham

Jack W. Durham died peacefully at home on December 22, 2021, at the age of 90, following a brief illness.

Born in East Liverpool, OH, to parents Everett and Gladys Durham, he grew up in Georgetown, PA and Newell, WV. He graduated from Wells High School where he was popular with his friends and a 3-sport star. He went to Mt. Union College in Alliance, OH, and became a standout football halfback and captain of the baseball team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Math in 1953 and in that summer met the love of his life Miriam, before entering the army. They were married on May 11, 1954. 

He served one year in Korea and began his career teaching high school math in Wellsville, OH before leaving to become an engineer with Western Electric in Columbus, Ohio, and then moving to Reynoldsburg, OH and finally Granville, OH where they raised a family of 5 kids.

Living in Granville for 54 years, he enjoyed his passions for gardening, photography, winemaking with friends, and worldwide travel. Jack shared his love for the outdoors, taking his family on numerous camping trips throughout the country. Always into physical activity, he taught his children the value of hard work and competing (“pain feels good”) and learning to play multiple sports, especially the traditional family “turkey” bowl football game every Thanksgiving where he was “all-time” quarterback well into his late 60’s.

He retired early from Western Electric and continued his commitment to family often babysitting and playing games with his grandchildren, taking them on tractor rides around the yard, and sharing his life through his musical slide shows.

Jack is survived by his wife, Miriam E. Durham (67 years), of Granville, OH, and children David J. Durham (Penny) of Gaithersburg, MD, Susan K. Sedlak (Ned) of Palm Coast, FL, Timothy S. Durham (Lisa), Granville, OH, John R. Durham of Pickerington, OH, Jack C. Durham (Laurie) Newark, OH. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren: Kathryn Sullivan (Devin), Peter Durham, Emily Reif (Zach), Ned Sedlak (Maureen), Allyson Sedlak, Julie Boehm (Chris), Jeaneen Durham, Lauren Barasky (Justin), Richard Durham (Jordan), Jessica Kain (Ben), Joshua Durham, Hannah Durham, Jack Durham (Nicole), Annie Durham, and William Durham. Eleven great grandchildren Avery and Charlotte Sullivan, Violet Sedlak, Ryan, Cooper and Charlie Boehm, Henry and Elizabeth Barasky, Lincoln Durham, Addison and Roman Kain.

He is predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Shaw (Pete), and is survived by his sister Barbara Penman (Tom).

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 7, 2022 at McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect St., Granville with Rev. Brian Potts as celebrant. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Granville.

The family will receive friends Thursday, January 6th from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or online at www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give.

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