Obituary of Thomas W. Durisoe

Services for Thomas W. 'Buster' Durisoe, 88, of the Concord Community, near Troup, are scheduled for 10:00 am, Saturday, September 20, at the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Reverends Marc Sharp and Duane Dougherty officiating. Burial, with Military Honors, will be in the Concord Cemetery under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup. Mr. Durisoe died Wednesday, September 17, in the Temple V.A. Hospital. He was born February 14, 1920, in Concord to the late William Roper Durisoe and Mary E. Kirkpatrick Durisoe. Mr. Durisoe was a lifetime resident of the Concord Community and was a retired farmer. He also retired as an offshore petroleum worker. He was a U.S. Marine Veteran of World War II, receiving two purple hearts. Mr. Durisoe was featured in the History Channel presentation on the Battle of Okinawa. He was a charter member of the Laney-Gambrell American Legion Post #418, Troup. He married Hazel Hays, November 22, 1947, in Tyler. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Bessie Tennison and Ruth Childress. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Hazel Durisoe, Concord; a son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Laurnie Durisoe, Concord; three daughters and sons-in-law, Vickie and Mike Stillwagon, Concord, Barbara and Dicky Shuttlesworth, Arp and Patricia and Paul Kelly, Houston; grandchildren, Royce and Patricia Jones, Concord, Jason Luce and Ashley Luce both of Arp; Shannon Kelly, College Station, and April Kelly, Houston; three great-grandchildren, Lonnie Jones, Jennifer Jones and Heather Jones; a special family friend, Shelton Parker; and numerous nieces,nephews, and friends. Pallbearers will be Chester Pond, Cecil Pond, Billy Childress, Ronald Childress, Johnny Mack Tennison, and Phil Waldrup. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bubba Brewer, Billy Hall, Jess Martin, Mike Ledbetter, and Lonnie Williams. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701 or to the charity of one's choice. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, September 19.