Doug Durham, 94, of Eureka, passed away on April 11, 2024. Doug was born on July 7, 1929, in Reed City, Michigan. Doug — a loving husband, humble man, Navy veteran, community leader and gentleman — will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A Navy Korean War veteran, Doug served in the United States Navy from December 1948 until December 1951.

Doug was assigned to the USS Endicott DMS 35, a minesweeper based in San Diego, when the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950; the Endicott was the first ship to leave the states from San Diego, California, leaving on June 30 for Korea. Upon arriving in Korea, the Endicott was stationed off the Korean Peninsula in the Pusan perimeter in early August 1950 and provided live fire support for the Army’s 24th division field artillery. The USS Endicott fired its 5” guns day and night. When the ammunition ran out, the Endicott made the round-trip ritual to Sasebo to pick up more ammunition and then returned to offer support fire. Not yet done in Korea, Doug and the USS Endicott headed north to conduct minesweeping duties for the invasion of Wonsan. Doug was lucky as two other minesweepers, the USS Pledge and the USS Pirate, both were sunk, with several lives lost. Doug had just visited the Pledge an hour before the sinking to repair a faulty radar. There was still one last mission for Doug and the USS Endicott in Korea as they headed further up the Korean coast to sweep mines in Hungnam Harbor, the most heavily mined area in the world, and assist in the evacuation of 105,000 servicemen, primarily United States Marines of the 1st Marine division who had been fighting one of the fiercest battles of the Korean was at the Chosin reservoir. The evacuation was called the Christmas miracle.

Doug was honored as a Humboldt Hero for his service to his country and was also selected to go on an Honor Flight back to Washington, DC, to see the memorials that were built to honor those who served. You could easily recognize Doug with a Korean Veteran ball cap placed in the proper military position on his head,

During his illustrious career at Lockheed, which spanned over 30 years, Doug played a pivotal role in the development of a groundbreaking missile detection system. His contributions to the field were not just significant but truly invaluable, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

His dedication to his country as a patriot was evident in both his military service and his civilian life.

Doug’s passion for volunteering was unmatched. He dedicated his time to various organizations, including the Senior Resource Center, A1 Center on Aging and the Ingomar Board, as well as the Historical Committee. He also provided caregiver training for family members with Alzheimer’s, showcasing his selflessness and compassion.

When not at work or volunteering, Doug found solace in embracing nature, indulging in his passions for fishing and hunting. The beauty of roses and redwoods never failed to captivate him. Doug loved spending time with friends, and he had many. His wit and humor were like a ray of sunshine, brightening the lives of those around him and leaving an unforgettable imprint on their hearts.

Doug is survived by his sister, Judy Bonds, and preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Virginia Durham; father, Jules Durham; mother, Harriette Durham, stepmother Eleanor Durham; and sister, Georgia Woodall.

In lieu of flowers, you can contribute to the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, a cause dear to Doug’s heart.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, a humble man, a community leader, a witty individual, a Navy Korean War veteran, a patriot, a dedicated volunteer, and a good friend to all he knew.

The celebration of life will be held at the Eureka Elks Lodge on June 22 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Rest in peace, Doug Durham. Your legacy will continue to inspire and uplift others.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Doug Durham’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.