I was born at the Hartford clinic in December of 1939 to Martin L. and Alma Durham, almost life-time residents of Rockport. They were blessed with 3 other children (Jerry, Judy and Martin [Marty-deceased]).

Little did I realize in the years of growing up that I lived in an idyllic community. I have always desired to return to live in Rockport or at least to Western Kentucky but life happens.

In 1956 it was learned old Rockport High was to be consolidated for the greater good of the Students and County. I accepted having no other alternative and had great experiences and times at Beaver Dam graduating in 1957.

Jobs was hard to come by in the late 50's and my dad had the great idea in order to put Jerry and me to work and a lifetime desire (I think) to operate a Grocery and Service station. I believe in the summer of 1957, he purchased a existing business from Lacy Blackburn. I believe in 1960, I left the business to attend the old Bowling Green Business University. My dad was working at Cherry Hill and my mother was the Postmaster. During this period I received my Draft notice to report for duty. I decided to go ahead and enlist in the US Army.

In November of 1961 I enlisted. I had my basic at Fort Knox. Then went to Fort Gordon, GA for Radio Relay and Carrier training.

I then was transferred to Fort Bragg, NC to the 18th Airborne Corps, however I remained a non-jumper (leg) but do remember participating in the daily rigorous exercise and was even able to do the long runs. A Personnel Specialist in Finance was needed and I was selected.

Shortly afterwards I was transferred to Germany. I was selected to continue my work as a Finance Specialist. I was then transferred to Headquarters and was selected to be Clerk-Typist working in the Supply area. Later on I transferred to Company B and operated in my school trained MOS.

During this time I completed numerous Army correspondence course as well as some College credit hours.

After discharge in Oct 1964 I came back home and operated a business for a short period of time and later worked at the old Beaver Dam Deposit Bank. Then to Evansville to Whirlpool. On to Joliet to Caterpillar for a very brief time and then for almost two years or so at the Joliet Arsenal. I did manage to earn college credits at the Joliet Junior College under the Viet Nam era GI bill. I met my one and only Elizabeth J. while working at the Arsenal. I elected to return to school at Western in the summer of 1968. However, we decided to marry and I went back to Joliet to the Arsenal until layoff then to WT Grants as a Management Trainee. I then was hired by GE and spent the rest of my working career at the GE Storage and Nuclear Reprocessing plant (almost 30 years).

We have three children. Jennifer and Jason adults are deceased. We are now living in the Tampa Bay Area (Spring Hill, FL) in a Senior Citizen Community. We enjoy it here and currently have few problems. Our youngest daughter Jodi is living about 30 miles away. She is the mother of our three grandchildren.

       jrd

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