Obituary: Roy Durham
Author: Jo Harris
Roy Durham
Jo Harris
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our father, Roy Durham, on October 21, 2025. Dad was born in Prairie City, Oregon, on May 4, 1927, to Roy C. and Bonnie Durham. Because his father worked wherever jobs could be found, Dad and his siblings grew up in and around the northwest. The family ultimately settled near Sheridan, Montana, where Dad met our beautiful mother, Jean.
The young couple married in Anaconda and returned to Sheridan, where they started their family with the births of daughters Valerie and Cheri.
In 1945, Dad joined the Navy to serve his country during World War II. His dedication to service did not end there; in 1951, as a member of the Naval Reserve, he was called to active duty once again, this time to serve during the Korean War. He was assigned to several ships in the Pacific and related vivid memories of serving on the aircraft carrier USS Antietam. He was very proud of his service to his country and loved to share stories of his experiences with family, friends, and fellow veterans.
After his time with the Navy, Dad, Mom, and daughters Valerie and Cheri moved to Helena, where they added to the family with the births of son Vernon (Vernie) and daughter Betty Jo.
Dad worked for Mountain Bell in Helena until 1984, then transferred to Salt Lake following the AT&T divestiture. He and Mom and our brother Vernie, who was disabled, lived in Utah until after Dad’s retirement from the phone company. In the mid- to late 90s, they moved to Spokane to be closer to family, then eventually moved to Billings to be closer to our mom’s sisters.
Dad had many interests, including camping, fishing, especially ice fishing on Canyon Ferry in the winter, playing cards with family and friends, listening to classical music, watching documentaries, and watching weather reports on his laptop. He had an interest in the early space programs and, perhaps most of all, loved observing nature.
Dad was charming, youthful at heart (and in looks), and easily made friends wherever he went. He and our brother Vernie had a very special bond, and after Mom’s passing, visited him almost daily at Billings Training Institute-East (BTI-E) and at his group home, the Kathy House. He also enjoyed spending time at the Billings Community and Senior Center.
He was predeceased by our mom Jean, our brother Vernie, his parents Roy and Bonnie, his sister Gloria and brother Lonnie, as well as a niece and a nephew whom he dearly loved.
He is survived by daughters Valerie (Ken) Palmer, Cheri (Tom) Schwin, and Jo (John) Harris; eight grandchildren including Shauna, who was instrumental in caring for him in his final months; grandsons Rob and Rick, who provided both physical aid and spiritual comfort, and great grandson Joel who reassured him and the rest of our family toward the end. He was very proud of his grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. He often joked that it was hard to keep track of them all!
The family would also like to thank Dad’s close friend Don, who would call him and come from Billings to visit him in Townsend.
Dad requested no services, but a gathering in his memory will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Billings Clinic Broadwater, 110 N Oak Street, Townsend, MT, 59644.
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PhotoCredit: Jo Harris
Image 1 Caption: Roy Durham
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