Mr. Donald Ray Durant, formerly of Taft, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 from the Oklahoma Veteran's Center at Talihina, Oklahoma.

Donald Ray Durant made his entrance into this world on September 6, 1945 to Viola Mae (Henry) Tate and William Durant.

An intelligent young man who blazed the halls of Moton High School of Taft with academic excellence, he graduated at the top of his class at only 16 years of age. Upon his graduation Donald Ray went on to serve our country in the United States Air Force from 1963 until he was honorably discharged in 1965 earning the rank of Airman Basic.

On January 27, 2015 Donald Ray made his transition from this world. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, stepfather Walter Tate Sr., daughter Angela Jordan, grandson Donald Durant IV, and three brothers Frank Tate, Dwight Tate, and Jeff Tate Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory two sons Donald Durant II of Omaha, NE, Donald Durant III of Camus, Washington; five grandchildren Nathaniel, Brashaud, Marquisha, Donald V, and Brooklyn; five brothers Walter Tate Jr. of Muskogee, OK, Wallace Gene Henry of Tracy, CA, Cleo Durant (Helen) of Minneapolis, MN, Allen Sherron (Eugenia) of Taft, OK, Richard Tate (Danetta) of Muskogee, OK; four sisters; Laura Walker of Las Vegas, NV, Harrien Hale of Muskogee, OK, Hazel Tate of Palentine, IL, a special aunt and uncle Snordia and Erwin Brown Sr. of Omaha, NE, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Service of Memory for Mr. Durant will be on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Remembrance. Reverend J.W.T. Spies will officiate. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson at 12:00 Noon.

You may visit Mr. Durant on Wednesday from 12 Noon until 6:00 PM at the funeral home.