Gordon “Happy” T. Durham

Gordon “Happy” T. Durham, 77, passed away on October 3, 2020 at his ho me in Palmyra , VA. He was b orn on July 20, 1943, to the late Gordon Andrew and Charlotte Morris Durham in Charlottesville , VA. Happy is survived by 3 daughters , Sam aramyth Staton (Darryl) , Shonna Durham and DeDe Campbell (Dana) ; 2 si sters, Laura Durham and Margaret Minter (Mike) ; one niece, Sarah Bailey; one nephew, Andy Minter ; 4 g randchildren, Jordan Thacker, Dana Staton, Joseph Staton and Kayla Campbell ; one great-grand son, Anthony Baker ; former wife Nellie a nd very long list of life time friends.

He graduated from Lane High School in Charlottesville , VA, th e n went on to play baseball at Wilmington College in North Carolina . H appy also served 4 years in the U.S. Navy where he was assigned to the U.S.S. Haleakala AE 25 and the U.S.S. Regulus AF 57 where he was a refrigeration specialist. After leaving the Navy, he was employed at Monticello Dairy for 14 years. Happy then went to work at UVA where he retired as the Chiller Plant Manager after 31 years of service in 2014 .

Happy was the most loving, loyal, patient and gentle soul you have ever met and was truly cherished by everyone who knew him. He had th a t special way of bringing out the best in people and was always your biggest supporter. He also had many hobbies that he loved, but his biggest love was his family. He loved and cherished every moment he spent with them.  To his 3 girls he was a legend , larger than life and always our hero.

The family will receive friends on October 17, 2020 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Sheridan Funeral Home in Kents Store, VA with a memorial service held immediately after. Following the service, please join the family for food and refreshments at the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire Department located at 10 Slice Road, Palmyra, VA 22963 .

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pets for Vets Inc., P.O. Box 10860, Wilmington, NC 28404 .