H.L. “Bud” Durden passed away in the early morning hours of June 4, 2014.
Known as Bud to all who knew him, he died peacefully, beautifully, surrounded by his favorite thing in the whole world — his family.
Preceded in death by his mother, Vera Inez Durden; and his son, Brian Michael; he leaves behind his grieving wife of 56 years, Carole Jean; and four children who will miss him desperately, Stephen Lee Durden and his wife Kim, Lisa Ann Durden Hackler and her husband Alan, Sara Catherine Durden Eadie, and James Raymond Durden and his wife Jamie. He was the proud Pappa to seven beautiful grandchildren, Shaun Michael, Kaitlyn Rae, Kelsey Lauren, Madison Taylor, Stephen Lee Jr., Nicholas Camden and Emily Kate; and was the great-grandPappa to Stephen Lee III and Kiran Zane.
Bud was a lifelong resident of Alabama, born in Mobile, but moved to Brewton as an infant.
Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother and his many uncles throughout the South, but spent most of his childhood in Montgomery.
He was a proud graduate of Starke University School class of 1952. After graduation, he joined the army and became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fayetteville, N.C.
He worked as an engineer in construction project management at Blount Brothers Construction Co.
He spent his weekends in the fall as a football referee and coach to his young son’s football teams.
After retiring to Foley in 2001, Bud quickly became an active member of the community.
He worked the polls on election day, volunteered at the Foley Chamber of Commerce and the Hot Air Balloon Festival and worked part time at Kaiser Realty as an inspector of beach properties.
He was a proud member of the Savannah Circle Supper Club and the Monday Poker Group, and was a regular at the Snook Family YMCA.
A memorial service celebrating Bud’s life will be held Monday, June 9, 2014, at 10 a.m., at Pine Rest Funeral Home in Foley.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Savannah Circle Park Fund, Phase I Landowners Association, c/o George Herstek, 113 Savannah Circle, Foley, AL 36535.
Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home, Foley.
