GREGORY DURRETT

Gregory Wright Durrett died peacefully at his cabin in Posey, Calif. Durrett was born to Jack and Jane Durrett in Bakersfield, Calif., on April 8, 1950. After graduating high school, he joined the Army and served two tours in Vietnam.

Work on the North Slope brought Durrett to Alaska in 1984. He lived in Hope and Girdwood before moving to Palmer in 1997.

Durrett loved the outdoors: camping, fishing, four-wheeling, sitting around a campfire often reciting Robert Service poems for an audience of friends and family, or strolling down a trail, diamond willow walking stick in hand. Durrett enjoyed an early morning round of golf. An avid fan of the sport, he celebrated his birthday by watching the Masters on TV.

His family said Durrett was an affectionate man. He happily anticipated Valentine’s Day each year, another opportunity to let them know they were loved. “Always ready with a corny joke, an Irish toast or a well-timed observation, Greg was never at a loss for a kind word or a compliment, whether you were a dear friend or a complete stranger,” his family said.

Though Durrett loved people, he also enjoyed his solitude and relished a relaxing afternoon with a good book, or endlessly tinkering in his garage, woodworking while listening to his favorite music or Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Durrett is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Mike and Betsy Durrett and nephew Patrick of Austin, Texas; sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Bill Tuculet and nieces Katlin and Kristen of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; his two sons and their wives Todd and Angela Durrett of Bakersfield and Cory and Laura Durrett of San Bernadino; his wife Tammy Durrett of Palmer; daughter and son-in-law Candance and Ted Buzby of Wasilla and daughter Kimber Hurt of Palmer. Durrett leaves behind nine cherished grandchildren and many family and friends throughout Alaska and California. He will be deeply missed by all, his family wrote.

A private memorial is planned for this summer.