of Little Rock, AR
September 18, 1941 - July 4, 2008
Charles ''Chuck'' Olin Durnett, 66, of Little Rock died on July 4, 2008. A native of Colorado, Chuck traveled extensively in his youth as the ward of his older brother, a non-commissioned officer in the Air Force. After earning a degree in Mathematics from Missouri Valley College, he married and began a family. A position with Dun & Bradstreet brought Chuck to Little Rock in 1972, where he established himself in the business, non-profit, and political arenas. At the time of his death, he was a former political consultant, a past President of the Arkansas Society of Association Executives, former Vice President of the Arkansas Credit Union League, a past Commander of the General Robert C. Newton Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a past president of the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail, a member of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, the Arkansas Division Commander of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, editor of the Civil War Roundtable of Arkansas, a commentator on governmental and political affairs, and a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Charles Durnett is survived by his wife, Kay Durnett, his son and daughter-in-law Jason Durnett and Debbie Smiley of St. Louis, Missouri, his son and daughter-in-law Jairus Durnett and Tammy Slish of Memphis, Tennessee, his daughter and son-in-law Jennelle and Timothy Richardson of Zionsville, Indiana, and six granddaughters.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 1:00 p.m., with Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501)224-8300 assisting.
The family asks that donations be made to the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail Foundation, P.O. Box 20905, White Hall, Arkansas 71612 in lieu of flowers.
On behalf of the 7th Arkansas Vol. Infantry, please accept our deepest condolences on your immeasurable loss.
Even though his participation was necessarily limited, Chuck was a solid member of our rifled musket company of War Between the States reenactors, and was registered to fight for the Confederacy at the recent 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Capt John Malloy
7th Arkansas Vol. Infantry, Co. I
Dear Kay,
May God be with you and your family during this difficult time.
Our sincerest sympathy,
Tom and Donna
The Southwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail Association sends its condolences to Chuck's family. We will miss him greatly. We are shocked and saddened by this sudden loss.
I am so sorry for you loss. Chuck was a funny, good guy and I liked him a lot. My dad would call me in Chicago every time he saw both of you (Chuck & Kay) at the office and tell me how much he enjoyed seeing you both. God bless your family and I will say prayers for you. My best to Jason, too.
Michelle (Tyrrell) O'Hagan
Kay & Family,
Chuck was a dear friend to me and offered me much counsel during the illness and passing of my father. We talked extensively on the love that a man feels for his children and wife, and that during loss it is easier to look at the "what if's" rather than "what is". I know that Chuck loved all of you deeply, and even more importantly, he knew that he was loved. That is "what is". He knew that his family respected him and he was proud of the accomplishments of his family.
His legacy will live on through all of you.
With much love,
Jennifer
MAY OUR PRAYERS BE WITH THE FAMILY.
My heart goes out to the whole family! I have considered your parents as another mom and pop to me. I was so glad to see all of you at Jason's reception. This news is devastating to me and I am so very, very sorry. Please keep me in mind if any of you needs anything.
Kay,
You have my deepest sympathies for your lost of Chuck. I can only imagine what you are experiencing in the lost of a mate. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Paul
WE WERE SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT CHARLES. WE FIRST MET HIM WHEN HE WORKED FOR THE CREDIT UNION.
Dear Kay and family,
While it may be that "Chuck's Place" has closed it's door to never open again, the memories of friendship that the "Place" generated will forever be remembered by all of us who knew the "Commander". May the Lord of All be you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mike
To Kay and the whole Durnett family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you always, but now more than ever! It was such a pleasure knowing Chuck and being his "Other Kay", even secretly planning a political campaign. It has been 25 years since we met and Chuck and your family are such an inspiration to us all with your exemplary public service and community leadership. I am so sorry for your loss and ours, but I know that Chuck will have everything well organized by the time we join him at the biggest roundtable of all!
Your friends forever, Kay and Susan Goss
So sorry for you loss.
Kay, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. If there is anything we can do please let me know.
In our thoughts,
Sam Duckworth and clinical staff at Corphealth.
A southern gentleman who lent dignity to the "cause' and he will be missed.....................
I always admired Chuck and his respect for our heritage and I always appreciated his sense of humor. He will be missed greatly.
Jairus and Jennelle,
My thoughts are with you and I am sorry for your loss!
Our loss of Chuck to the Civil War Roundtable and to preservation of our Civil War Heritage, in general, and to the Civil War Sesquentenial Commission, in particular, is huge. It will never be the same without him and we were all privileged and blessed to be his friend. Although not present at our future meetings,I know that he will always be in our thoughts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time - we will miss him dearly. God bless you and your family,
Ramona Green
The world is a smaller place without Chuck. I will miss my friend and colleague, and offer my deepest condolences to Chuck's family.
My heart goes out to you and your family at the time of your loss.
Our sympathy goes out to Kay Durnett and her family
With deepest sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My family and I are very sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers!
Kay,
I am very sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my prayers.
Kellie Wilson
(Phyllis' daughter)
Kay - please know you and your family are in my thoughts. Kevin
I first met Mr. Durnett last year when we were appointed to the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. It didn't take long to learn that he was extremely knowledgeable on the Civil War and highly respected by his colleagues. He was willing to share his time and energy. He was a treasure and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Please accept my sincerest condelences at this time of loss. You will be in my prayers. Carolyn Ashcraft, Director, Arkansas State Library
Kay, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Tim
Kay- I was so shocked to hear about Chuck. I am so sorry for your loss. Chuck was the kind of person that made me laugh every time I was around him. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers and have my deepest sympathy.
Kay,
I did not know your husband but I know this is a tremendous loss for you and your family. My prayers are with you doing this time of mourning.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Joe Walker
Jenkins Ferry Chapter
Military Order of Stars and Bars
Kay,
We are sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Joyce & Steve Coffman
Kay and family--needless to say I am in shock. It was just a couple of weeks ago when you visited my office and Chuck was so happy about purchasing a home. During that meeting, he felt compelled to stand up--now I know why. You have both been friends from my beginning days at St. Mark's. It was the Durnett family, each of you, who were involved in the basketball league. Every Sat. there you were--two adults and three kids attending the games and working at the concession stand. The program served kids from around the city and the Durnett family made it a success. To this day I believe the reason all the churches have gyms associated with the churches is, in part, because of the St. Mark's church league.
Chuck was one of the few people, in Little Rock, who graduated from the same high school I did. I could always count on him to say hello to me at every Political Animals meeting. He was he who helped me get started as a lay reader and chalice bearer at St. Mark's.
I will never forget his sarcastic wit and his unbelievable knowledge of the most trival fact. I will miss his friendship. You have my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Your friend
Dick
Kay-
I'm so sad to hear about Chuck. He was a great person and fun to be around. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Beth Boyd
Kay,
I'm truly sorry for your loss. Chuck was a special person. My prayers and energy are with you.
Your friend always,
Carl
Peace be with you and your family. We will miss you and the South will miss you also.
I new Chuck as a very kind hearted, loving man. We would often exchange opinons - sometimes strong opinions - on topics where an African American and a Caucasian would not dare venture into discussion. But I always respect Chuck for his opinion. I will miss his "ring-tone" of Dixie - just to see my expression and reaction in the office. I know that Chuck is looking down on us, because early Saturday morning I opened my email and there to my surprise was an email with his beloved "dixie" insignia on it. I think Chuck got a real laugh from my reaction. He's still sending me those "ring-tones".
"A creature does not rest in anything better than in that out of which it is come, a fish from the water, a bird from the air, and a tree from the earth. So it is with the soul in God."
(Rev.) Carol-Ann Blow,
to my Confederate friend - salute
Thinking of you and your family at this time of loss.
Kindest regards,
Cathy
Jairus and Jennelle,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My family's prayers are with you.
Matt
Chuck,
I'll miss you my friend. But I know you, Jerry and the gang are enjoying a reunion with all those historical folks you taught us so much about. Arkansas has lost one of the true pioneers of the information age. Thanks for everything and save me a place at the roundtable.
Bill