Duran was born at home on December 18, 1941, the youngest of four brothers, to Ralph and Emma Watts of Clarion. As a youth Duran was an avid reader, writer, athlete and singer, and was active in the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Eagle and was selected to the Order of the Arrow. After graduating from Clarion High school, he attended Junior College at Iowa Central in Fort Dodge, where he served as class president his final year. During this time Duran joined his father-in-law Burt De Nio in his painting business, and continued in that profession until 2012, when a stroke led to his retirement.
Duran was married twice, first in 1964 to Roxie De Nio of LuVerne. They had one son, Duren Lynn, of Renwick. In 1985, Duran married Linda Smith of Dakota City; together they had two children, Ashley Ranee of Des Moines and Barry Joseph of Fort Dodge. Duran is survived by his three children, four grandchildren: Duren’s children Livia Watts and Adrien Watts and Barry’s children Alexis Watts and Atlas Watts, as well as brothers Daryl and Richard, and several cousins, nieces and nephews who were very dear to him. He is preceded in death by his parents, his eldest brother Don, and nephews Michael and Jeff Watts.
Duran left us on December 13, 2023.
As we read through these events and happenings in a person’s life, we are but counting milestones. The measure of a life well-lived, however, is not a part of public record. It is in the reminiscences of brothers, the lessons taught to children, the fond memories of friends and acquaintances. The true measure is sometimes only felt in its absence, the silent space where one has grown to expect perhaps a word of advice, an unexpected observation, or a wry remark delivered with impeccable timing. And sometimes it is as easily seen as asking what the departed would do, or what they would say. And if those small, immeasurable things are really what comprises life? Then we can say that our father, our brother, our grandfather, and our uncle, Duran Watts, truly lived.
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