Beloved husband, father, son and brother, Dr. James Alan Durst, born Friday, April 16, 1948, departed this life on Friday, January 17, 2025 of natural causes. Known as Jim to family and friends, he was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, fourth child and precious son of Florence Mettel Durst and Howard Scott Durst.
From his earliest days, Jim showed an aptitude for science. He earned fourth place overall in the 1964 National Science Fair for his work on Astrophotography and Mirror Grinding. Graduating from Mandan High School in 1966, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1970 and his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1974, both from Creighton University.
He opened his dental practice in Oklahoma City in 1974 and served the Bethany and Oklahoma City communities for over 42 years, until his retirement in 2016. He also served St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Oklahoma City as a member of the Parish Council, Eucharistic Minster, and Lector for many years.
Jim married Marian Martha Ervin Durst on January 15, 1988 in Oklahoma City, melding their two households into a single family with their five children, Celeste, John Blair, Jim, Doug, and John. Often inseparable, Jim and Marian built a rich life together exploring the world and filling their home with love, family, and a menagerie of much beloved dogs and cats. Jim and Marian worked together in his dental practice for many years, until she retired in 2011.
Jim was an avid hobbyist, whose hobbies included rebuilding and showing British sports cars, building rockets with family and flying remote controlled airplanes. His family will remember many weekends spent building and tinkering on his cars, especially his favorite, a 1952 MG TD, which he lovingly restored from the ground up. Weekends were also filled with endless construction projects on and around his property. Many fond memories were made with his children and grandchildren launching rockets, racing go karts, and playing many rounds of croquet, for which he often consulted his official US Croquet Association rule book.
Jim leaves behind his precious wife of 37 years and 2 days, Marian Martha Ervin Durst, his son James Howard Durst and wife Amy Durst, son Douglas David Durst and wife Elizabeth Aileen Welty, son John Robert Orville Durst and wife Amanda Durst, daughter Celeste Blair King, and son John Blair King and wife Julie King. Jim also leaves behind his grandchildren: Justin, Carson, Keegan, Breyden, Amber, Hank, James, Cody, Gus and Clara. Jim also leaves behind his sisters, Ann Baker and husband Ken Baker, Ruth Durst, and Franci Addy and husband Chuck Addy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who lovingly refer to him as Big Jim.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Howard Durst, his nephew John Baker, and his mother-in-law Harriet Phipps.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N. Council Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73132
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