Long-time resident of Paw Paw, MI, Harold (Dutch) Duringer passed away peacefully at home on March 5, 2024, just two weeks shy of his 96th birthday. The son of Herbert and Irene (Cole) Duringer, he was born in Blue Island, Illinois and was a former resident of Burbank, California.
Harold moved back to the family’s ancestral home (built in the late 1800’s) in Paw Paw, Michigan after retiring from an airline flying career. He often said he wanted to get out of the “Rat Race” of California and enjoy the beautiful and calm setting of Maple Lake, the majestic “Red Barn”, fresh air and green grass.
Harold and his late wife, Ramona, started attending the First Presbyterian Church, a couple of blocks from his home. He soon joined the Paw Paw post of the American Legion, where he became a lifetime member.
Harold was a proud Marine of World War II and a very patriotic supporter of the United States of America. He had several different flying careers throughout his life, including Flying Tigers, Slick Airways, ROHR Aircraft, Sinatra Enterprises, (he was Frank Sinatra’s pilot). He enjoyed flying cargo better than people since he didn’t have to deal with unruly passengers. (Back in the day, the pilot had to deal with those things.) He was also an airplane mechanic and later became the airplane maintenance director.
Harold volunteered at the Kalamazoo Air Museum repairing anything that the older planes needed fixed. He was an incredible mechanic and could fix anything.
One of the most important talents Harold was gifted with was the “Art of Story Telling”. He had a gift to keep your attention while telling a story and it was like you were watching a movie. He traveled all over the world with his various flying jobs and would tell people stories about his adventures.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife of 43 years, Ramona (Bright). He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Freida Duringer and daughters Claudia Moorehead (Joe Earl), Nancy (Jerry) Kaban, stepdaughter Kim (Ken) Thompson, granddaughters Jessica Kaban, Lyndsay (Daric) Barton, Sarah (Andrew) Betancourt, four great-grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.
Service arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw. Harold requested a graveside service only, which will be held March 23, at 3 p.m. at Prospect Hill Cemetery, 59831 County Road 665, Paw Paw. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the Paw Paw Presbyterian Church, 120 Pine St., Paw Paw.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Paw Paw First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 435, Paw Paw, MI, 49079 or the Paw Paw American Legion Post 68, PO Box 19, Paw Paw, MI 49079.
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