John Robert Durham

-Savannah- John Robert Durham, 96, former owner of the Durham Oil Company, died peacefully Monday, May 8, 2006 at Azalealand Nursing Home under the care of Hospice Savannah.
Born on November 5, 1909, in Chipley, GA now Pine Mountain to Samuel Lowe Durham and Mattie Lou Wall Durham, he graduated from Young Harris College in 1933. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Jeanette White, who taught at Savannah Vocational School for many years, and a sister, Emmie Murray.
He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Jan Fulcher Durham, one daughter and son-in-law, Janie and Robert Shuman, all of Savannah; and by four grandchildren, Heather Durham Nadler Jon of Atlanta; Adam White Valorie of Lake Lure, NC; Jonas White of Alta, UT; and Rachel White of Nashville, TN. Other survivors include his nephew, Al Blackburn Ann of Hickory, NC; and niece Nan Blackmon McCants Tom of Houston, TX, several great nieces and nephews, and special friends in the Thorne Class at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church.
At the time of his death, John was the oldest living Past Master of the oldest Masonic lodge in America, Solomon’s Lodge #1, F&AM. During his 33 years as a businessman in Savannah, he and Jeanette were active members of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church; he was a member of the Alee Temple, a founding member and president of the Chatham County Exchange Club, and instrumental in the establishment of the Roger Lacey Lodge.
Retiring to Young Harris in 1975, he began over 25 years of Sundays on the porch of Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church, welcoming everyone.
A former president of the Young Harris College Alumni Association, John conceived the idea of the Endowed Century Club and was its first member. In 1985 he received the Young Harris College Medallion, the highest honor which the College presents. Although he returned to spend his last years in Savannah, his heart remained in the mountains of North Georgia.
Memorial Service: Wednesday, May 10, 10am, Skidaway Island United Methodist Church
Graveside Service: Thursday, May 11, 2pm at Salem Cemetery near Pine Mountain, GA
Memorial Service: Friday, May 12, 3pm at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church, Young Harris, GA
Remembrances: Young Harris Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 145, Young Harris, GA 30582.