David Lee Jones, longtime member of the Durant community passed from this life and entered the Gates of Heaven on May 8, 2024, at his home in Durant at the age of 77. David was born on June 28, 1946, in Cairo, Illinois to parents, Paul and Mary Miller Jones. David graduated from Springer, Oklahoma High School in 1964 and then moved to Durant and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduating with his bachelor’s degree. David married Karen Sue Fite on December 8, 1967, and they began their journey together raising their family. David worked for Collier Furniture in Durant during his working years until his much-earned retirement. He was a devoted and dedicated member of Faith Missionary Baptist in Durant, the Durant Country Club, and the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity at SOSU. In his free time, he enjoyed playing golf, riding motorcycles, and he loved being outdoors in the sunshine.

Aaron Johnson departed this life on May 8, 2024, in his hometown of Durant, Oklahoma, at the age of 38. He was born on November 4, 1985, in Durant to David and Susan (Hill) Johnson. He attended Durant public schools and graduated from Durant High School in 2004.

Kathryn Swink, a beloved educator, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024, in Durant, OK surrounded by her family at the age of 93. Born on June 18, 1930, in Turkey, TX, to parents James Elbert Loar and Mary Lee Gilland Loar, Kathryn was a shining example of dedication, compassion, and lifelong learning.

John Michael Simmons age 57, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday April 22, 2024 in Burleson, Texas. John was born November 12, 1966 to Robert Lee (Bob) Simmons and Margie Colleen Springer.

Douglas Deel passed away peacefully on April 24, 2024 at his home in Bokchito, Oklahoma, at the age of 92. He was born on July 1, 1931, in Pirtle, Oklahoma to Dallas Leon (Shorty) and Gladys Maurine (Rhinehart) Deel. He married Georgia Juanita Browning on November 17, 1950 in Bokchito. They were married over 70 years before her passing. Douglas’s life was a testament to the values of hard work and devotion to family. The only son in a family with three girls, his father felt it important to teach him how to farm and make a living. First learning how to plow with a team of mules until recently baling hay with today’s round balers, Douglas had seen a lot of change.

Jean Pershica, of Durant, Oklahoma, passed away on April 24, 2024, at the age of 72. She was born on September 29, 1951, to Clyde Lester and Erma Thelma (McDaniel) Cox in Durant, Oklahoma.