Garry Miles Durkee, 91, died at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home.  He was born August 15 ^th , 1925 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Veron and Almeda (Westbrook) Durkee.

He leaves behind his wife Helen Jean (Bolter) Durkee, to whom he was married 68 years, his daughter Susan (Gregory) Middlemis, sons Gerard (Jenny), Mark (Elytta), Donald (Cyndi), Philip (Sue), Douglas, John (Landy), Robert (Marietta) and Christopher (Lilianna), daughter-in-law Mary Durkee, grandchildren John Middlemis, Rebecca (Travis) Leonard, Alisha (Kenny) Giles, Emily Durkee, Andrea Durkee, Paul (MacCartney) Durkee, Jacob Durkee, Maria (Arvid) Callas, Monica Durkee, Kate (Ryan) Huttenga, Elie (David) Roberts, Erin Durkee, David (Emily) Durkee, Stephen Durkee, Holly  (William) Kammel, Ryan Durkee, Jennifer Durkee, Helen Durkee and Christopher Durkee.  There are also 11 great grandchildren.

Garry was a sports enthusiast, running the mile and half mile for Grand Rapids Central High School.  In 1943 he was an All State track runner in the half mile. He also played football for Central and was an All City guard.  He served as a proud Marine in WWII.  After the war, while still in the Marines, Garry played on a marine corps football team that traveled the South Pacific Islands, playing other servicemen teams.  The team he played on won the championship.  Each member of the team was personally given an award by Admiral Nimitz.

Garry was an active member at Holy Family Catholic Church in Caledonia, Michigan where he served as a lector and in many other volunteer positions.  In the community he did volunteer work with the Boy Scouts, 4-H, Little League, was a member of the Lion's Club and American Legion, as well as being on the Caledonia School Board.

After retiring from the Consumers Power Company, he and his wife Jean relocated to Minneola, Florida, where they became members of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont.  He enjoyed playing on a local shuffleboard league and spent many hours working in his garden.  Visits from the family were always a highlight.

Garry lived his life as a shining example for all of his children to his very last breath.  He would admit that it was sometimes difficult raising nine children, but would also say that those nine children and his Jean made him feel like the richest man in the world.

Visitation will be held at  Becker Funeral Home, 806 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont, Flordia 34711, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Monday May 8, 2017.

The funeral will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 720  12 ^th St. Clermont, Florida 34711.

Garry will be laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Patriot, PO Box 2443, Brandon, FL 33509 for direct donations to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home or to the Caledonian American Legion, Post 305, 9548 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316.