Juan Duran, Quartermaster Master Chief Petty Officer USN, 80, of Panama City Beach, FL passed away on Tuesday August 20, 2024. He was born on March 26, 1944 in Derry, NM to Matilde Duran and Feliciana Herrera.

He graduated from Hot Springs High School in Truth or Consequences, NM in 1962. Immediately following high school, Juan enlisted in the U.S. Navy and reported to San Diego, CA for the Recruit Training Program. He performed in the Drum and Bugle Corps while there.

Next, Juan was screened and selected for U.S. Submarine School. He completed the Enlisted Basic Submarine Course in 1963. In December 1963, he was assigned to the conventional powered Guided Missile Submarine, USS Grayback (SS-208) followed by duty in March,1964 aboard USS Cusk (SS-348) where, on the 25th of October 1964, he received the Submarine Qualification Certificate while on board.

In May, 1965, he was assigned to the Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628) homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was then transferred to USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656).

On March 4, 1967, while at home between assignments he married Patsy Ann Harrison, in Honolulu, HI. They were happily married for 50 years before her death on February 15, 2018.

They moved to Ledyard, Connecticut where Juan was assigned to the staff of Commander Submarine Flotilla TWO then moved to the Operations Office.

Then, on November 2, 1972, their son Craig Ashley Duran was born.

On July 26, 1974, Juan received the Department of Defense Joint Commendation Medal having "performed these vital functions in an exemplary manner and contributed significantly to the smooth and efficient operation of the Command Center in assisting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officials of the Department of Defense."

Juan's final service on submarines ended on May 26, 1977 when the USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633) underwent a change of command. Later that year, he attended Recruit Training Command in Orlando, FL and after completion, the family moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Juan's niece, Victoria joined the family for a couple of years…"home near Zia with pinion trees and an arroyo…school days for the young ones…wood chopping excursions…recruiting…short tour."

Juan continued to be awarded throughout his life including a Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor of Santa Fe before the family moved again to Las Cruces, New Mexico in late 1979.

On June 2, 1980, Juan was selected to Master Chief Petty Officer, the pinnacle of his Naval career. He was also awarded a Silver Star for his Gold Wreath Award for Recruiting Excellence and was commissioned as an Admiral in the Texas Navy.

Finally, on March 1, 1992 he retired from the United States Navy.

He moved on to earn an Associates Degree in Water Utility Operation  from Dona Ana Community College while also volunteering with the Cub Scouts, as a soccer coach and referee.

Juan briefly worked in safety at the Naval Ordnance Missile Test Station in White Sands New Mexico before beginning his second career teaching Naval Science (NJROTC) at Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas. After a few years of commuting, a new high school opened closer to home and he moved to Onate HIgh School in Las Cruces to continue teaching NJROTC.

He retired from teaching on May 4, 2006 and on May 26, 2006, the Mayor of Las Cruces proclaimed it to be "Juan Duran Day."

In retirement, Juan spent his time volunteering with the Lion's Club, supporting Patsy in all of her efforts to better the community and playing a little golf.

In 2009, Patsy and Juan, along with their beloved dogs (Chica and Sissy), moved to Panama City Beach to be closer to Craig and his family, wife Christy, granddaughter Ava and grandson Roman. They enjoyed a number of wonderful years with regular visits to New Mexico during chile season while enjoying special times with the Panama City Beach Durans.

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This may summarize the career and story of a man, but doesn't begin to describe his impact on so many people. At his core he was kind, loving, patient, understanding and caring. Something I heard him say over and over again:

"Every Day is A Holiday and Every Meal is a Banquet"

Craig Duran

Proud, Loving Son

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He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Miguel Herrera Duran (Emma) and Cruz H. Duran (Teresa) and his wife Patsy Ann Duran. He is survived by one son, Craig Duran (Christy); two grandchildren, Ava Jane Duran, Roman Juan Duran; three brothers, Estevan Duran (Gloria), Luis Duran (Sylvia), Martin Duran; a sister, Mercy Herrera (Larry); twelve nephews, Andrew Torres (Cathy), Bufie Duran (Margaret), Paco Duran (Lea), Gary Duran (Lisa), Antonio Duran, Victor Cruz, Samuel R. Duran, Rudy Gonzalez, Robert J, Smith, Edsel Lee Duran, Wyatt Ross Duran, Michael Duran; and five nieces, Victoria Duran, Eileen Miller (Jake), Jeanine Kushler (Brian), Debra Annocki (Bill), and Mary Pena (Sammy). Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2 pm in the Wilson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1-2 pm on Thursday at Wilson Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held in the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL at 11 am on Friday, August 30, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project:

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate