George Robert Durham, Jr.
January 19, 1947 - May 12, 2026

We were just informed of the passing of Bob. Bob was in Cadet Squadrons and 30.

Obituary:
George R. Durham Jr., known affectionately as "Bob" to family and friends, passed away on May 12, 2026, at the age of 79.

Born on January 19, 1947, in Lamar, Colorado, George was the son of George R. Durham Sr. and Eunice Durham (née Vrooman). His mother, a schoolteacher, taught him in school and remained a lasting influence in his life. His father, a baseball umpire, helped nurture George's lifelong passion for the game. He grew up with two older sisters, Wanda (the eldest) and Beverly. From the age of 14, he worked as a sharecropper alongside his father and grandfather. George played baseball in his youth and continued playing fast-pitch softball as an adult.

A proud descendant of Revolutionary War patriots from Londonderry, New Hampshire, and Belfast, Maine, George carried a deep sense of duty and patriotism.

He was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy and graduated in 1968. His military career spanned nearly three decades of distinguished service and leadership. He flew AC-130 Spectre Gunships in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He participated in the Air Force's "Catch a Falling Star" satellite recovery operations in Hawaii and served as an Air Officer Commander (AOC) of a cadet squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He later served as an exchange Company Tactical Officer (TAC) at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Subsequent assignments included commanding a C-130 squadron at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas; attending the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; serving as Vice Wing Commander at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; and commanding the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan. He held various senior roles at the Pentagon and retired from the National War College in Washington, DC.

After retiring from the Air Force, George enjoyed a successful second career as a Certified Financial Planner with Ameriprise, where he continued to help families with the same dedication and integrity that defined his life.

On July 12, 1969, George married the love of his life, Cathy Regina Durham (née Bassett). He deeply loved and cherished Cathy, and their marriage of nearly 57 years was the greatest joy and foundation of his life. He is survived by his devoted wife Cathy, son Jason (Sara) and their children Harris and Danielle, daughter Jennifer and her sons Grant and George, son Ryan (Jayme) and their children Ellie, Charlie, and Chance, and his sisters Wanda and Beverly.

George will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a decorated military leader, and a passionate athlete. With his outgoing, extroverted personality, he loved to have fun, joke around, sing, dance, and bring laughter and energy to every room. In his final years, he faced the challenges of Alzheimer's with the same grace and good humor that defined him throughout his life. He lived a life of service, discipline, honor, and joy.

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