Paul Jerome Durant

“Being a good man is not a qualification, it changes, and incorporates being a good friend, a good husband, a good father, good employee, a good boss, good neighbor, and good citizen. ” A.A. Giln

Paul Jerome Durant, who passed away suddenly and heartbreakingly on September 7th after a short illness, was all things good. His friendships spanned a lifetime, with many referring to him and remembering him as “my best”. Every new friendship also made an indelible mark. To those that met him he was so often referred to as “great” “kind” and “a true gentleman”. To know him was to love him.

He served his country as an army veteran, then built a career as a dedicated employee and “the best boss”. As a husband, his late wife Kathleen (Gardner) Durant, who passed away days after their 55th wedding anniversary, and one day after his birthday, would say he couldn’t be better.  Their relationship was one of dreams, legends, and also genuine daily devotion and the truest love. His six children: Paul (Jana), Michael (Melissa), Gina (Jerry), Craig, Karen (Howard), Michelle (Matthew) and his fourteen grandchildren, Silver, Clara, Jason, Jessica, Bethany, Samantha, Amelia, Melody, Michael, Oliver, Evan, Reed, Pia and Greta are all devastated by the loss of their father/father-in- law and their “Papa”, yet grateful for the love that was

unconditional, the laughter that was constant, the beautiful memories they will cherish, and the example he gave us all. His two brothers-in-law that met him in 1963 when he was just 15 years old, Lawrence and Gary Gardner, refer to him not as in-law, but as their “true brother” and “hero”.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents Sydney and Jeanette (Miller) Durant and his twin brother Peter Durant.

He started his career humbly as “sweep boy” at Trico Products, continually stepping up, becoming a tool and die maker and ultimately the plant manager. He was instrumental in moving Trico operations (and his family) to Texas from Buffalo, N.Y. where he built homes in Rancho Viejo, Port Isabel, and finally Harlingen. When asked how he managed to do all this he’d say “Always work your hardest and show them your best…and dress well too.” He left Trico for the opportunity to start his own company, Atlantic Durant Technologies. Once retired, he most enjoyed spending time with his wife, friends and then his partner Carole Clifford. His pride and passion was always family and joining them in his home and garden that he filled with art, music, countless curated treasures, family meals, and love in every corner. You could find him sharing some “Pasta at Papa’s” with a rum and coke and a cigar, where he also may be fixing something for one of the kids, because if “Papa couldn’t fix it, no one could.” Or maybe you’d say hello when he was taking a stroll to admire the flowers in his neighborhood, or meet him out for a good meal, preferably somewhere on the water. There would likely be some singing and dancing, often late into the night, but always, always you’d have his amazing laughter, fun, joyful spirit, and his limitless love. He wasn’t just a good man. He was simply the best.

The Durant family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, September 20th  from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A private memorial service will be held in the spring of 2024.