Manuel “Peaches” Durazo
February 8, 1920 - January 30, 2010


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 11:18 AM MST


Services for long-time Douglas businessman Manuel Ygnacio “Peaches” Durazo will be conducted on Saturday, February 6, at St. Luke’s church in Douglas at 10:00 a.m. beginning with a rosary, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00.  Burial services will be held at Calvary Memorial Cemetery.


Born in Oputo, Sonora, Mexico in 1920 to Alfonso and Beatríz, Manuel relocated with his family to Douglas in 1932.  He was a member of the last graduating class of Loretto High School in 1938.  

As a newly enlisted member of the Arizona National Guard, Peaches along with the local guard unit deployed to Panama in 1941 as part of the 158th Regimental Combat Team know as the Bushmasters. Departing for the south Pacific at the end on 1942 he saw extensive action in New Guinea and the Philippines, receiving two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.  He served in the south Pacific until the spring of 1945.  

Returning to Douglas after the war, he married Armida Araiza (1920-1986) and was owner of Durazo’s Shell Service station on 9th Street and F. Avenue beginning in 1947.  In 1959 Captain Durazo was named commander of Company C of the AZ National Guard.  After over twenty-five years of guard service he retired in 1966 at the rank of major, after having been recognized as the state’s outstanding guardsman of the year.  Peaches was a member of the Knights of Columbus and also served on the Douglas planning and zoning commission.  He retired in 1982 and moved with Armida to Nogales in 2003, where he passed away.

Peaches is survived by brother Emilio (Mami) and sister Alicia (Raul+), sons Manuel (Mercedes) and Robert (Eileen) and daughter Marta Valenzuela (Mark), nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Oscar and Rene Araiza, Addie Araiza, Lillian Meeks and Tere Durazo.

 

Copyright © 2010 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Raul Ortega wrote on Feb 14, 2010 9:09 PM:

    " Our condolences to the Durazo Family.
    "Peaches" was real role model for us growing up in Douglas.Thank you "Peaches" The Ortega Family "

    Ferny Sanchez California wrote on Feb 11, 2010 7:53 PM:

    " My prayers for him and family. He taught me much at Natl. Guard tenure.

    Bless you always Peaches. "

    Judy Lucas wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:18 AM:

    " My sincere sympathies to your family. I often think of all out families, the good times, to good old days! "

    Albert E. Jordan wrote on Feb 5, 2010 10:12 AM:

    " I remember the many times I would go to his Shell service station on 9th street as a kid and adult. Our condolences and prayers are with you . He was and will always be rememberd as a good friend to my family. "

    Larry Westbrook wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:46 PM:

    " We are saddened by the loss of a nice man. Mr. Durazo taught me a few things on car repair. We loved to go to Durazo's Shell with our dad to fill up the cars and have a soda when we were kids. He would always treat us as one the boys there. I believe "Service is our Business" was modeled after his station in Douglas. He was a fair man.

    Our condolences to the Durazo family.

    Larry and Jan Westbrook & Family "

    Mary Forsythe Reynolds wrote on Feb 4, 2010 10:45 AM:

    " Manuel, Robert and Marta,
    I was so very sorry to learn about your dad passing away. I have such wonderful memories of both of your parents and growing up next door to all of your wonderful family! I will keep you all in my prayers.
    Love,
    Mary "

    Tina Zazueta wrote on Feb 3, 2010 2:36 PM:

    " I have wonderful childhood memories of "Mr. Peaches" He was a wonderful man and a dear friend of my families...The Roqueni's and Cabarga's.

    Robert and I send our sincere condolences to the Durazo family.

    Robert and Tina Zazueta "

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