- Obituary
Dr. Adrian J. Durant Jr. took up golf when he was 55.
His love for the game was not restricted by the walker he needed after a hip operation. He took it along with him on the course. "It kept him going," said Jaqueline Hall Durant, his wife of 57 years, of his frequent golf outings.
Dr. Durant died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005, at his home in Champaign, Ill. He was 83.
He was born on February 27, 1922, in Columbia, to Adrian Jackson Durant and Jean Durant.
Jaqueline Durant described her husband as a Southern gentleman and recalled a reunion at which other women asked jealously, "Jackie, where did you get him?"
"He was the nicest man I've ever known," she said.
Dr. Durant received his undergraduate degree at MU. He also received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the College of Education.
While at MU, he was a member of the freshman football team under coach Don Faurot, for whom the field is now named.
His brother-in-law, Robert Smith, said Dr. Durant was an avid football fan.
"He followed Mizzou football from Paul Christman to Brad Smith," Robert Smith stated in a release. "He never missed a chance to see his beloved Tigers."
Dr. Durant also completed ROTC training at MU, and served in World War II. After being discharged from active duty, he remained in the Army Reserve and then the Missouri National Guard.
Dr. Durant served as the chief psychologist for the Urbana, Ill., school district before retiring in 1990. He maintained a small private practice until his death.
As a psychologist, he was affiliated with several professional organizations. He was also an active member of the 10th Mountain Division Foundation. Dr. Durant was also active in the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, Ill.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Rebecca Durant of Springfield, Vt., and Carol Adrian Rosa of Neoga, Ill.; three sons, William Durant of Nucia, Colo., Jackson Durant of Champaign, Ill., and Daniel Durant of Signal Mountain, Tenn.; two sisters, Florence Roberts of Fullerton, Calif., and Katharine Cleaveland of Albany, Ore.; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His parents and one sister, Jean Durant Smith, died earlier.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in his honor to the First Presbyterian Church at 302 West Church Street, Champaign, IL 61820.
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