Francis Donald Durham, known to friends and family as “Donnie,” passed away unexpectedly in his home in Lexington on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

He was born in Lexington on Jan. 21, 1939, the son of the late Broadus Francis Durham and the late Mae Donald Durham.

He married his wife Barbara Frazier Durham on March 6, 1959. They had been happily married for more than 66 years.

Donnie worked at Reeves Brothers Vulcan, Rockbridge Auto Parts, ran his own business, Donnie’s Auto Repair, followed by 37 years as maintenance at Modine Manufacturing, from which he retired.

Donnie was a “jack of all trades,” with a love of auto repair or anything mechanical. He also found a new skill as an “auto harp tuner” in later years, as he and his wife enjoyed attending bluegrass festivals. 

He was a founding member of CollierstownBaptist Church for 65 years. In service to the Lord, he did a lot of maintenance work for the church and the parsonage. 

Donnie is survived by his faithful wife Barbara Durham; son Colby Durham and special friend Gary Foster; brother Walter Lee Durham; brother Gregory Durham; sister Laura Metzger and brother-in-law John Metzgar; sister Linda Trimble; sister Debra Riley; and nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his special niece Wanda McDaniel, and caring friends Mitch Wapner, Evan Rothman, and Eddie Fitzgerald.

Preceding him in death were his daughter Sandra Durham; parents Francis and Mae Durham; brother Bobby Durham; brother Ricky Durham; and brother Jud Durham.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, April 28, at Harrison Funeral Home by Dr. Greg Gertz.  Burial will follow at RockbridgeMemorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour before the service.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home and Crematory.