Richard Leon Duren

Richard Leon Duren was born January 26, 1962 in Purcell, Oklahoma. He was the son of Richard Leon and Ida Mae Duren. Richard was raised and attended school in Lawton and Snyder, graduating from Snyder High School in 1980.

Upon completion of his high school education, Richard attended specialized training and was certified as an electrician. On May 16, 1986, Richard was married to Mary Caward. The couple made their initial home in the Poteau area and raised four children, Michelle, Joey, David and Tonya. Richard was employed in the plastics industry for several years in Oklahoma before being transferred to Arkansas. The couple then moved their family to Dirks, Arkansas for about five years before they separated and were divorced.

Richard then moved around quite a bit over the next few years before finally settling in the Terlton area in 2000. He has been employed for the past three years in the maintenance department of Sheffield Steel in Sand Springs. Richard was married to Cheryl Reena (Vance) Callahan on August 10, 2001 in Missouri. The couple has resided in the Terlton are during the past five years.

Richard accepted Christ as his personal savior nearly two years ago while attending the Faith Bible Church in Sand Springs with his wife Cheryl. Richard's enjoyed most spending time and supporting his family. He was extremely proud of his children and their accomplishments. In his early years he enjoyed driving the back roads with his brother-in-law, Bob Caward. He thoroughly enjoyed his job and friends at Sheffield Steel and was known by them as a hard worker. In the event that anything happened that was not necessarily the way it should be, Richard's favorite expression was Bull Butter. Additionally, Richard loved riding go-carts with Devin, Maykayla and Jayce. He was also fond of watching old western movies, especially John Wayne.

He passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the home of his daughter in Cleveland, Oklahoma at the age of forty-four years, three months and fourteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carol Duren.

Richard is survived by his wife, Cheryl of the home; eight children, Randy Duren of Snyder, Oklahoma, Michelle Davis of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Joey Bowling of Redmond, Oregon, David Duren of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Tonya Duren of Redmond, Oregon, Devin Callahan, Maykayla Callahan and Jayce Callahan, all of the home; four grandchildren, Brittany Davis, Zachary Davis, Alexander Davis and Kaydence Davis, all of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and a sister, Gail Duren of Enid, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, May 15, 2006 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with David Logsdon officiating. His cremated remains will be interred near his mother and sister in Snyder Cemetery at a later date. 'Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Richard Duren at www.chapman-black.com.