Michael Keith Durham

Michael Keith Durham of Spencer died early Wednesday morning May 9, 2007 during a tragic car accident in which he drowned. His van went into the swollen Little Sioux River and was found over a week later when the waters lowered enough for canoeists to spot the top of Michael's van and reported to the police. Michael Keith Durham, Sr. was born May 26, 1966 in San Diego, California. He graduated from Adolpho Camarillo High School in 1984. The special delights of his life were the two precious children born during his marriage to Dawn Castler. Michael Keith, Jr. was born in 1988 and Heather Nicole in 1990. Michael's passion for the ocean and fishing led him to experiences working on fishing boats and he soon became a Second Captain. He sailed in and around the waters of Southern California including the surrounding islands. His exploits of fishing, extraordinary skills with knot tying, prowess in filleting and ability to catch fish with no bait will forever be remembered by those that had the privilege to fish with him. As a youth and teenager Michael was a gifted athlete that shown brightly in track, soccer and baseball. He was adept at all things athletic and took to new skills with ease. Michael made riding a unicycle look easy and was great at juggling! Michael was very mechanically inclined and along with his dad and brother Tim restored a 1954 Ford pickup truck. Michael and his family moved to Goldfield, Iowa in 1993. Using his skills as a title searcher Michael worked in Clarion until the seriousness of his mental illness resulted in his moving to live with his parents in California and some years later on to Spencer. In spite of the challenges of his physical and mental illnesses, Michael possessed courage, determination and an inner strength that exhibited itself in the way he truly cared for others. Michael recently completed training as a Peer Support Specialist and was looking forward to using his skills and personal experience to help others with the challenges of mental illness. Michael's delight in his children found him at many of their early activities and events. He was always at the ready with their photos in his wallet and would get so excited when he knew they were coming to visit that he could never sleep the night before. These past 5 years Mike could be found most weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. at "Just Friends," enjoying lunch, followed by the "friends" playing games of "Uno Attack" and Bingo. Michael will be remembered for easygoing ways, his willingness to listen to and help others and his courage in the face of adversity. Through it all he had a ready smile and helpful hand. He was a loving, thoughtful, gentle giant of a man whose impish, playful qualities made him the apple of his family's eye. Michael was preceded in death by his Maternal Grandparents, John & Esther Lager of Clarion, Iowa, Paternal Grandparents, Virgil & Signa Durham of Rock Island, Illinois, Uncle Keith & Ruth Streeper of Pueblo, Colorado and Aunt Sybil Streeper of Rock Island, Illinois. Michael is survived and lovingly remembered by his children, Michael and Heather of Clarion, Iowa, his father and mother Sid and Jean Durham of Spencer; sisters, Theresa (John) Coman of Granville, NY; sister Monica Stark of Spencer; Cecilia Miller of Emmetsburg, IA and brother Timothy (Beverly) Durham of Palm Bay, FL; nieces and nephews, Gregory (Sherry) Miller; Anthony, Thomas and Robert Coman; Shane, Wade, Logan and Rachel Miller; Kathryn and Keith Durham, and numerous friends from the East Coast to the West Coast. Memorials may be made to "Just Friends" or to a mental health charity of your choice.

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