JOHN WYLIE (JACK) DURAN

 The following bio was taken from page 191 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited

And used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

 John Wylie (Jack) Duran (1893-1974), eldest child of Joe C. and Mirtie Wylie Duran, was born near Pine Hill in Rusk County.  At age two, he moved with his parents to a newly built home two miles northeast of Pine Hill, which still stands today as the Duran home place.

John Wylie Duran, known to everyone throughout his life as “Jack”, attended school in Pine Hill, Henderson, and then Tyler Commercial College, where he completed a course in cotton grading, a promising vocation at that time.  He later attended what is now North Texas State University.

 On February 11, 1917, Jack married Era Lee Conway, daughter of Joe P. and Caroline Stephens Conway.  They were married sitting in a buggy while friends looked on.

 After living the first year of their marriage with his parents, Jack and Era moved two miles north of Pine Hill on another part of the Duran estate near the old Trammel Trace.  Their house, typical of houses of this era, had a wide hall dividing the house.  A huge dirt fireplace in the “front room” provided warmth and pleasure as the family gathered around during the cold winter months.  It was here that Jack spent many hours helping his children with their reading, spelling, and arithmetic lessons, often with the child settled comfortably in his lap as he was patiently guided into learning.

 During the fifty-seven years of Jack and Era’s marriage, they moved only once, this to a new house built about one hundred feet away.  Era still resides in this home.

 Jack farmed for over fifty years.  He first used a team of oxen until he acquired a “fine” team of mules.  His crops were cotton, corn, watermelons, and vegetables, many of which were dried for eating during the winter months.  He raised his own meat – pork, beef and chickens. 

Throughout their lives, Jack and Era’s home was always open to anyone needing a meal or place to sleep.  This may have been for one meal and one night, or many years, as circumstances of those involved dictated.  In times of community needs – sickness or death – Jack was always one of the first to respond.  His compassion and generosity toward his fellowman, be it friend or stranger, was widely known.  Even when it seemed he didn’t have enough for his own, he shared with those less fortunate.

 Jack and Era were parents of nine children:  Joe Aubrey (1917-1976), who married Patricia Pleasants; Hazel Dean (1920-  ), who married Bill Hancock; Edward Earl (Bill) (1922-1963), who married Ann Burns; Charles (Charley) Leon (1923-  ) who married Billie Joe Neill; James (Buster) Marion (1925-  ), who married Jo Ruth Gossett; Doris Marie (1927-  ), who married Jack Bedunah; Mertie Nell (1929-1932); Betty Joyce (1931-  ), who married Virdell Johnson; and Jack Junior (1933-  ), who married Melba Maye.

  During World War II, Jack and Era had four sons fighting in different war zones.  Three were wounded and the other contacted dengue fever.  One was lost for some time during the “Battle of the Bulge.”  Jack’s ear was always turned to the radio for war news, and those children remaining at home knew that the Edward R. Murrow nightly news was a time for complete quiet in the house.  Unending faith helped Jack and Era through these trying times until all four sons were safely home.

 There are nineteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.  Those old enough to remember adored their “Granddaddy” and treasure the wonderful relationship they shared with him.

 Throughout the life of John W. (Jack) Duran there stood his loving and faithful wife and helpmate, Era Lee.  In good times and bad she was a devoted wife and mother, a fine neighbor, and a friend to all.  Jack died April 18, 1974 and is buried in Memorial Gardens Cemetery northwest of Henderson.

 Perhaps the life of Jack Duran can best be summed up by the words of a devoted niece, who, at the time of his death, said:  “He was a noble man of the old school, who fathered the fatherless, helped the helpless, succored the needy and befriended the friendless.” 

 Submitted by Hazel Duran Hancock, Betty Duran Johnson, James M. (Buster) Duran