David Merlin Durant

Well, the circle of old housetruckers has once again shrunken.

On June 18th, Dave Durant, an old friend from the Oregon Country Fair moved along the mortal coil and now travels infinite space and time as a released soul.

I'd known Dave for a number of years, first as a member of the White Bird medical team at the Fair, and as to coordinator of the Water Crew, in charge of supplying clean refreshing water to the Fair staff and attending public. His most obvious presence was as a water truck driver, navigating a semi-tanker-truck filled with water from the city, moving it along narrow roads clogged with vehicles, bodies and crafts.

Years later, when I first started the website here, Dave mentioned several times that he should get me some photos of "his bus from back in the day" to put up for exhibit. I always agreed that would be a good idea, but since I'd never seen his bus, I didn't know what I was missing.

When Roger's book Some Turtles Have Nice Shells came out, Dave's bus had a two-page spread (pp. 58 & 59), and yes, it indeed would have made a grand addition to this site's presentation. Pity we never got serious about getting together and exchanging the photos.

Photos courtesy of Roger Beck, Housetrucks.com

Dave's passing was sudden and unexpected, another of several friends through the years who have been struck down by undetected medical conditions.

He is already missed.

Obituary

David Merlin Durant of Eugene passed away on June 18, 2012 at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held in Lamb Cottage in Skinner Butte Park on Friday, June 29th, between 5 and 10 PM.

David was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on April 12, 1947, to Lavera and Merlin Durant. He attended Adams Elementary School in Eugene, then went to Medford High School until his junior year, and completed his senior year at Tigard High School, graduating in 1965. Among his accomplishments in high school were his exemplary skills in track & field, specializing in hurdles and sprints. He was high-point man at both his junior and senior year state championship meets - almost single-handedly clinching victory for his teams there. His 110-yard hurdle time in 1965 still holds the school record in Tigard.

David ran 110-yard hurdles for the University of Oregon on a full scholarship from 1965-67 under Bill Bowerman, after receiving numerous scholarship offers.

David loved Eugene, Oregon, as his own family, devoting himself as a Crisis Worker and Medic for CAHOOTS and Homeless Case Manager for White Bird Clinic for more than 15 years. He worked over 30 years for Consolidated Freightways before undertaking his new calling with White Bird. He was a close member of the Oregon Country Fair family since 1970, working in the early days as a Board Member, Water Crew Coordinator, and more recently as Communications Coordinator with White Bird. David loved nature and animals, was an avid skier, motorsports and driving enthusiast, and was loved for his gentle heart and kind demeanor. Furthermore, David was a devoted father and put family as his highest priority in life.

David Merlin Durant is survived by his mother Lavera Porter; and her husband Oakley, of Richland, Oregon; along with his partner Katie Gallagher of Eugene; two sons: Bodhi (of Dallas, Texas) and Yati (of Edinburgh, Scotland); a daughter-in-law Magdalena; and two grandchildren, Julian and Helena.