Charles Augustus Durrell, Jr.

Charles A. "Jack" Durrell, Jr., 82, Kokomo, passed away peacefully at 2:45 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 6, 1926 in New Castle, the son of Charles A. Durrell, Sr. and Jessie (McGath) Durrell. On August 20, 1949 in Canton, Ohio, he married Betty J. Dennis and they celebrated 56 years of marriage. Betty preceded him in death September 19, 2005.

Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as an officer from 1943 until the end of the war. After his military discharge, he attended Miami University of Ohio and received his degree in 1947. Upon graduation, he joined his father in working for Chromcraft Furniture in New Castle. In 1956, he and his father purchased Weldon & Clark Furniture Store in Kokomo. After his father's retirement, Jack and his wife successfully owned and operated the business until their retirement in 1989.

He was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church and also held memberships in the Kokomo Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club. He was an historian who pursued a lifelong interest in the Civil War, doing extensive reading on that topic as well as traveling to visit Civil War battlefields. He passed on his love of history to his son, Charles.

Jack was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who is survived by two daughters, Christy Durrell Tucker and her husband Al of Kokomo, Lisa Durrell Wald and her husband Neil of Seattle, Washington; six grandchildren, Brian Tucker and his wife Danielle, Anne Tucker Nees and her husband Mike, Alec Durrell, Kevin Wald, Keith Wald and Tyler Wald. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, a son, Charles A. Durrell, III and a sister, Jane Durrell.

A Memorial Service celebrating Jack's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Jefferson St. with Pastor Jerry VanAuken officiating. Military Honors by the VFW Military Rites Team and the U.S. Navy will follow the service at the church. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jack's memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church with envelopes available.

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