Father, brother, cousin, uncle, grandfather, husband, eternal optimist and American patriot, it is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of our beloved Conrado in Tucson, Arizona on February 2, 2009.

Born to Gilberto Durón & Margarita Acosta on January 9, 1930 in Douglas, Arizona, Conrado Durón was born at a pivotal time in history. He was born in the midst of the Great Depression, a time of economic strife woefully mirroring that of the present. This time was also marked by the end of the Prohibition Act, and close to a decade of buildup to the world-altering events of WW1I; events that would prove to shape his life. In an unfortunate turn of fate, Conrado lost his father at the tender age of one, whereupon he went to live with his Uncle Francisco and Aunt Emilia for several years. The fourth eldest of six children, Conrado attended public school and thereafter followed in the footsteps of his brother Rafael and was drafted into the US Army. He served the United States of America faithfully in post-war Japan for two years, which explains his memorable - and comical - use  of “arigato gozaimas” (‘thank you in Japanese) and other Japanese terms and phrases. His brother, Rafael, was wounded during the Korean Conflict and sent to Japan for treatment where the two brothers found themselves reunited. An astounding series of photographs documents the wonderful times that the two brothers enjoyed together spending the rest of their respective enlistments in Yokohama. Upon their return to Arizona in 1953, Conrado and his brothers Gilbert and Rafael began working together at the Phelps Dodge Corporation copper mining operation in Bisbee, Arizona. The three brothers worked and lived in close proximity for upwards of 30 years. They enjoyed a multitude of mutual interests including working the family farm in Elfrida, rock polishing, and most memorably, a love of music. Conrado was an accomplished musician; he played the guitar, accordion and zither with vivacity and flair. The three brothers made a talented trio, playing the high-spirited music of northern Mexico. After retiring from the Phelps Dodge Corporation in 1978, the three brothers went on to second careers. Conrado began working with the federal government on the Ft. Huachuca military base in Sierra Vista, Arizona, retired, then began working for the Douglas Public School system, from which he later retired. Throughout it all, Conrado continued his professional journey as a self-taught master electrician, humorously known to his family and friends as “Uncle Hubba”. Conrado, the accomplished musician, father, grandfather and uncle was a generous and giving individual, often doing work for disadvantaged individuals at little or no charge. He was always willing to lend a hand and would literally give you the “shirt off his back,” which in doing so demonstrated his core values: anything worth doing is worth doing correctly and that hard work, keeping your word and perseverance are the paths to prosperity. Being a firm believer in jokes and good humor, a quote from Will Rogers, the great American humorist and notable contemporary of Conrado’s birth, best captures his spirit, life and essence: “We’re  all here for a spell, get all the good laughs you can.”

In loving, laughing memory - Conrado Durón

Conrado was preceded in death by his parents, Gilberto and Margarita, as well as his brother, Gilberto II. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving family all proudly bearing the name of Durón

in their hearts, and many friends. His wife, Frances ; his first wife Agustina, sons Jorge Luis (Olga Escobar), Miguel Conrado (Mary Cramer), daughters, Maria Dolores Durón, Anna Alicia (Joseph) Waltman and Sylvia Susanna (Julio) Morelos; eight grandchildren: Marc and Alexandra Durón, of New York City; Hannah and Tray Durón, of Pflugerville, Texas; Julio Morelos III of Eglin AFB, Florida, Isabel Morelos; Daniel and Christopher Waltman, of Phoenix Arizona; brothers, Rafael of Tucson and Guillermo of Tempe, Arizona; sisters, Angelina Arvallo of Tucson and Bertha Chatterley of Susanville, California as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends; step children, Rose Medina, Theresa Cummins, Jack Stacy, Stella Rojo, Donald Stacy, Ronald Stacy, Lisa Stacy, and many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Our sincerest gratitude for the hundreds of cards, calls, visits, food, prayers and fond memories shared.

Memorial services will include a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2009, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with a Mass of the Resurrection being celebrated  at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009, also at St.Luke’s Catholic Church. Rev. James Baka will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery; arrangements will be handled by

Brown-Page Mortuary. The family requests that, In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Voice Club, 1636 N. Swan Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85712.

Pall bearers serving will be:  Jorge Luis Durón, Marc Antony Durón, Miguel Conrado Durón, Daniel Durón, Jack Stacy, Sean Stacy.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Rafael Acosta Durón, Guillermo Acosta Durón, Robert Durón, Tim Gil Durón, Gilbert Durón, III, Raymond Durón, Julio Cesar Morelos, Joseph Clinton Waltman.