DURHAM, Daniel Mark

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Tuesday, March 4, 2008 Daniel "Dan" Mark Durham, 86, passed away Feb. 12, 2008, at his home in Parker, from natural causes, with his family by his side. He was born on March 11, 1921, in Clayton, N.M. At the age of five, his family moved to East Los Angeles, Calif., where Dan graduated from Garfield High School in 1939. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended officer training at Butler University in Indiana and then was stationed at La Junta, Colo., before leaving for service in Europe. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Dan met his wife Dorothy Campfield and they were married and settled in Whittier, Calif., where they raised their three children. Dan retired from owning and operating Steel Erection and Maintenance Co., in Bellflower, Calif. and was an ironworker and member of Ironworker Local No. 433. He was well known throughout the industry for his work ethics and was recognized by the U.S.A. Small Business Administration for National Small Subcontractor of the Year. This award was for his outstanding contribution and service to the nation's civilian and defense needs. Since the early 60's Dan and his family enjoyed spending many years of vacation time boating and skiing at the Colorado River and he could always be seen racing up and down the river in his yellow jet boat. Dan loved powerboats and was a respected boat racer himself, with many accomplishments and records and a member of the NJBA, NDBA, APBA and SCSC associations. After retiring, Dan and his wife spent more and more time at the Colorado River and this was the place they would make their permanent residence. Dan was a Mason at the Whittier Masonic Lodge, Parker BPOE Lodge No. 1929 and American Legion. Dan is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy, of Parker; daughters, Colleen (Lloyd) Clauss, of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Denise (Mike) Clay, of Big River, Calif., and son, Mark (Gretchen) Durham and their three children Danny, Demi and Danika, of Parker. In Dan's memory, there will be a Celebration of Life on April 5, at 1 p.m., at the La Paz County Park in the Don T. Pavilion, 7350 Riverside Drive, Parker. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made "In Memory of Dan Durham" to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405 or Arizona Heart Institute Foundation, 1910 E. Thomas Rd, Ste. 220, Phoenix, AZ 85016.