CRAIG W. DURRETT

A memorial service for Craig Walton Durrett will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, La., with the Rev. Dr. Chris Currie officiating. Visitation will follow at the church.

Craig was born on Jan. 13, 1955, in El Dorado, to George W. “Smiley” Durrett and Henrietta Burge Durrett. He died on May 11, 2015, in Shreveport from complications of disseminated zoster virus.

His father preceded him in death.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of almost 38 years, Miriam Lokey Durrett; a daughter, Elizabeth Durrett, and her fiancé, John Rose of Dallas; a son, Philip Durrett, and his wife, Marie, of Dallas; his mother, Henrietta Durrett of El Dorado; and a sister-in-law, Gwen Williams of El Dorado.

Craig lived a joyful, meaningful life and will be missed by all who knew him.

Following graduation from El Dorado High School, he attended Louisiana Tech University, graduating with degrees in journalism and history — and starting on his lifelong career as a respected journalist. He worked for newspapers in Mena, Shreveport, Monroe, La., and Little Rock, before returning to The (Shreveport) Times in 1991. He worked there in multiple editor roles, culminating in a 10-year position as editorial page editor. He spent the last three years as assistant news director at KTBS-TV in Shreveport.

Craig was known among family, friends and colleagues for his sense of humor and intellect, his humility and kindness, and his passion for good journalism. He was a committed Christian who was active in his churches, First Baptist Church for many years, and, in recent years, First Presbyterian Church.

Many people knew him through his writing, or as a co-worker, church deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir member, Food Bank volunteer, Thursday morning coffee group cohort, or involved parent from his children’s school days in Shreveport.

But daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Philip, remember him as the best dad around: quick with a word of praise or an under-the-breath witticism, but mostly the kindest and most selfless man they’ve ever known. Though his sense of humor had an odd twist, his joking was never mean-spirited, never at others’ expense. He strung that comedic tightrope himself, and he was the only one who could walk it. His humor was a joy to many.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, LA 71101; Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, 2307 Texas Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103; or Immanuel Baptist Church Library Fund, 701 S. West Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730.

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