J. C.  DURAN, JR

 The following bio was taken from page 188 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

 J. C. (Jay) Duran, Jr. (August 5, 1899 – February 25, 1970) was the third child of J. C. Duran, Sr. and Mirtie Wylie Duran to reach adulthood.  He married Jessie Lowrie October 2, 1920, and five children were born to this couple – Glenn, Wilton, Gay, Cleo, and Doyle (Stumpy).

Until the beginning of World War II, Jay and Jessie lived most of their married life in the Chapman Community where they farmed and raised cattle for a living.  During the early part of World War II, after their three oldest children – Glenn, Wilton and Gay – had gone into Military Service, they moved to Henderson and Jay started driving the County Bookmobile.  Doyle was too young to go into service during Work War II, but entered service at a later date.  Jay drove the bookmobile until he retired and joined his wife in her day care service operated in their home at 1601 East Main Street.  All the children they kept loved them and called him “Daddy Jay.”  He helped with the day care center until his death in February 1971.  Jessie continued to operate the day care service although the services had to be curtailed after the loss of her husband and valuable assistant.

 Glenn (September 11, 1921 – May 28, 1963) married Pebble Sparks, and two children were born to them, Janet Lynn and William Glenn.  After his discharge from the Navy, Glenn worked at Otis Crim-Tennison Funeral Home and joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a patrolman, in Greenville, Texas, where he was serving at the time of his death at the age of forty-one.

 Wilton (August 16, 1923 -   ) married Mary Nell Irwin of Laneville, Texas.  They have lived in Henderson since they were married after Wilton was discharged from the service.  After his discharge, Wilton was employed by the Texas Employment Commission, where he works at the present time.

Gay (July 14, 1925 -  ) married Jo Nell McDonough, and they have two children, Elizabeth Ann and Dan.  After his discharge from the Army, Gay began work for the Texas Highway Department and later was employed as Street Superintendent for the City of Henderson where he is employed at the present time.

 Cleo (July 5, 1927 – July 30, 1947) married Don Maddox.  They had one daughter, Wanda Sue.  Soon after Wanda Sue was born, Cleo died in July 1947.

 Doyle (June 11, 1929 -   ) married Betty Sue Gibson, and they have two children – Doyle Jay and Amanda.  After spending some time in the Army, Doyle joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a patrolman.  He first worked in Bay City and Houston, Texas and he is currently employed in Kilgore.

 Submitted by Wilton Duran