DR. JOHN LYNN DURAN

The following bio was taken from page 190 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 Lynn Duran was born in Henderson Hospital on September 23, 1944.  He was the third of four children to be born to John Duran and Bertie May Nelson Duran.  His given name “John” was from his father, and his given name “Lynn” was from the much-loved family physician Lynn Hilbun.  John Lynn attended Gaston Schools near Joinerville where his father was superintendent.  He lived on the campus and, therefore, had a wonderful, large playground plus countless teachers and workers at the school as friends.  He moved from Gaston after the death of his father to Henderson and graduated from Henderson High School in 1963.  He attended Kilgore College and Stephen F. Austin University.  He graduated from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston in 1970.  After two years in the United States Air Force as a dentist, he entered private practice in Henderson.

 John Lynn’s wife, Kay Nan, was also born in Henderson Hospital on November 15, 1945.  She is the oldest of five children born to James Odell Poovey and Dana Tipps Poovey.  Kay Nan and her brother and sisters were regular customers of Billy Crawford’s Ambulance Service as each, after their birth, was carried home in the ambulance.  Kay Nan lived in the Minden Community until she was eight, when the Pooveys moved to Henderson.  She graduated from Henderson High School in 1963.  She attended Kilgore College and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University in 1967 with a degree in elementary education.  She taught first grade in Deer Park, Texas; Montgomery, Alabama; Henderson, Texas; and at the Gaston Campus of the West Rusk School District.  After several years of courtship as high school sweethearts, John Lynn and Kay Nan were married in a double wedding ceremony with Kay’s sister Gay and Lee Allen on July 20, 1968.  Because of the fact that Kay’s father was a professional photographer, there were probably a greater number of photographers at this wedding than most.  Some photographers were captured in a photo as they were taking one themselves.

 The Duran’s have one son, Adam Christopher Duran, born February 2, 1974.  Both of Adam’s grandmothers and his grandfather, plus several aunts and uncles, live in Henderson and contribute to the closeness of the family.  This accounts for the fact that Adam has never had a paid babysitter.  His early habits of long sleeping have not changed and until the age of five he would fall asleep at eight o’clock regardless of what activities were going on around him.  He loves his grandparents, aunts, and uncles and is always finagling to spend the night or eat a meal with any relative he might meet.  He enjoys playing any sport from football to golf.

 John Lynn’s favorite pastimes are hunting, especially with a good bird dog, and playing sports with Adam.

Kay Nan’s pastimes have changed from her Minden favorite of rocking chickens to sleep by putting their heads under their wings to shopping, doing needlepoint, and working with flowers.

 Submitted by John Lynn Duran