Online Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/sabine/obits/d/d6500005.txt

Extracted from The Sabine Index (Many, LA)
Wednesday, February 8, 1989

Mr. J. Murray Durham

Services for Mr. J. Murray Durham, 71, were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 1989, at the First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport. Officiating were Dr. John B. Rogers, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport, assisted by the Rev. Stanford Parnell, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport. Burial was at Hill Crest Memorial Park, under the direction of Rose-Neath Bossier City Funeral Home.

Mr. Durham, a retired banker, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1989, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Foster, La., and had been a resident of Bossier City since 1953. Mr. Durham was a member, and former Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport. He was one of the original founders of the National Bank of Bossier, served as president from 1953-1979. Mr. Durham served as president of the Bank of Mid-South from 1979-1981. He was a member of Bossier Parish School Board for 30 years, having served four times as president.

Mr. Durham was president of Bossier Chamber of Commerce in 1955. In 1982, he received the Bossier City chamber of Commerce President's award. He was the first Chairman of the Board of Bossier Medical Center, 1963-1969, and 1971-1972. He was a member of Martin McClanahan Masonic Lodge #384 of the Shreveport Club, 40 & 8, El Karubah Shrine, and a Army veteran of World War II.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl O'Neal Durham; his father, James Murray Durham, Sr.; his daughter, Martha Durham Barnwell.

He is survived by his wife, Melba Dark Durham of Bossier City; son and daughter-in-law, Douglas O. and Angie Durham of Many; four grandchildren, Neal Durham, and McLaurin Durham, both of Shreveport, and Leigh Barnwell, and Ann Marie Barnwell, both of Rockwall, Texas.

Pallbearers included Jap Cullatt, Arthur Bell, W. V. “Bill” Dark, Neal Durham, John M. Dark, and John LeGrand.

Honorary pallbearer was Ado Skeels.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, or to the donor's choice.