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Daniel Mack DuRant, 54, of Willis, Virginia, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2008. He was born July 19, 1953, in Durham County, N.C., to Robert W. and Belle Durant of Winston-Salem, N.C. Dan attended Mount Tabor as a member of the "Class that never was" and graduated from North Forsyth High School. He graduated from Gaston College with an associate degree in civil engineering and A&T University with a degree in electrical engineering. Dan was a registered electrical engineer in North Carolina, Virginia and several other states. He owned and operated Mountain Song Inn in Willis and enjoyed participating in Ironman triathlons abroad and nationwide. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Tanya Bennett; a brother, Robert H. DuRant; and several nieces and nephews.
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Gary Gambrell
It was my first trip away from home for any extended period of time. Dan was my tentmate at Raven Knob Boy Scout Camp. One night we got to talking about girls as boys are apt to do.
I said, "This birds and the bees thing. I understand why girls are the birds ... they're pretty, they flit around. But why are boys called bees?"
Dan answered with that glint in his eye and his special grin ... that grin that said, "I know something ..."
He said, "Because we've got STINGERS !"
It was always a special joy and treat to reconnect with Dan at each reunion. I miss him terribly.
We learned alot about Dan post-high school from the persons that spoke at his memorial ... things that Dan never let on about when we got together every five years ... his battles, his victories, his work with other men and women fighting the same battles. As I sat there listening to people speak, some traveling from as far as Texas to pay their respects, I thought, "It's no wonder he died of a heart attack. He gave so much of it to so many."