Hairrel A. (Durb) Durbin, Sr,, age 73 of Farmersville, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home in Farmersville on March 20, 2014. Hairrel had been diagnosed in September, 2013, with Liver Cancer brought on by Hemochromatosis. Hairrel was born on January 31, 1941, in Atoka, Oklahoma to Gradie Lea (Hairrel) and Alfred Joseph Durbin, Jr. He was a 1959 graduate of Denison High School and attended college at LSU and Richland Community College. He married Patricia Annie Hoedebeck on May 13, 1960. He served in the 49th National Guard for 9 years of which he had active duty for 18 months. He retired from Texas Instruments after 37 years where he was the Facilities Manager for Division I, Department of Defense Electro Optics Programs. He later worked 8 years for the Plano Independent School District in the Facilities Department. He was a Master Mason of the Plano Lodge #768 for 52 years and a member of the A&A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA, Valley of Dallas, Orient of Texas since 1967. Hairrel was a Life Member of the National Good Sam Club and a member of the Plano Good Sams for 17 years. He served on the Board of Texas State Technical Institute for several years. He was a past member of Church of the Holy Nativity, and was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in McKinney, Texas.
Hairrel was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Martin, his granddaughter Hannah Marie, brothers-in-law Richard Irby and Philip Hoedebeck, and nephews William Shane Smith and Darren Christopher Nix. He is survived by wife Patricia; sister Judith Ann Smith; sons: Hairrel Alfred Durbin, Jr. (Bud) and wife Kathleen, Stephen Wayne Durbin, Lawrence Dale Durbin (Larry) and wife Elizabeth. Grandchildren: Jamie and husband Tye Stephens, Joseph Durbin and wife Kristen, Lacie Durbin, Julie and husband Jacob Carvalho, Marshall Durbin and wife Casady, Jordan Durbin and Riley Durbin; plus numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Hairrel and Pat lived in Plano for 34 years and have lived on 4-D Farm in Farmersville for 15+ years. He participated in barbeque cook offs and often came home with awards. His life was rich with family and friends, and he was known to all as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. It was not unusual to find sons and friends gathered around his dining table, seeking his guidance or advice on current or future projects. His warmth and wisdom will be missed by all.
Family night will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday, March 23rd at Turrentine-Jackson- Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expwy. North. in Allen, TX. Funeral services will be Monday, March 24th at 3:00 PM at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6400 McKinney Ranch Pkwy., McKinney, TX, officiated by The Reverend Mike Michie. Interment will be at Plano Mutual Cemetery at the corner of Jupiter Road and 18th Street. Plano Lodge #768 will do Masonic graveside service prior to final rites. After the service, dinner will be served at the 4-D farm for those who can attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in McKinney, the Community Food Pantry in McKinney, or a favored charity.