David Craig Durham

David Craig Durham was born on November 19, 1943, in Sterling City, Texas, to Worth Barton Durham and Mary Josephine Durham.  David graduated from Sterling City High School in 1962 and was Valedictorian of his graduating class.  After high school David attended the University of Texas, where he was a member of the Longhorn basketball team.  David ultimately earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English Literature from Sam Houston State University. Mr. Durham's passion was education.  His first teaching position was as a professor at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas.  While there, he became associated with the Little Dribbler's Basketball program and traveled extensively promoting the youth basketball program that was near and dear to his heart.  David returned to Huntsville, where he taught English and coached at the "Walls Unit" of the Texas Department of Corrections.  From Huntsville, he relocated to the Clemens Unit in Brazoria, Texas, where he continued his coaching and teaching career at TDC. David Durham began his public education career in Van Vleck, Texas, at Van Vleck High School, where he also taught English and coached the football team.  In 1985, he ventured to Kenedy, Texas, where he shared his coaching and teaching skills until 1989.  It was that year he returned to Van Vleck, where he built a home and settled down and was named principal of E. Rudd Intermediate School.  While holding this position, he obtained his Texas Professional Mid-Management Certification from Southwest Texas State University.  He was named Assistant Superintendent of Van Vleck I.S.D. and subsequently earned the position as Superintendent.  Mr. Durham later accepted the position of Superintendent for Royal I.S.D., in Brookshire, Texas, a position he held for five years, before retiring to reside in Bellville, Texas, with his family.  During his career David also loved officiating basketball at many different levels.  His love for officiating extended him the opportunities to referee for the prison system, UIL basketball, countless hours for the Little Dribbler's Program, and the unique occasion to officiate a Harlem Globetrotters game.  David's past times include fly fishing every summer at the family's Colorado cabin.  He enjoyed reading, playing a round of golf or four, and attending any and all sporting events, never passing an opportunity to pass up a high school game. David was preceded in death by his parents, Worth and Mary Jo Durham and his sister-in-law, Pat Durham.  He is survived by his sister: Bitsy Durham of San Angelo, Texas, and his brother: Drew Durham and his wife, Dawn, also of San Angelo, Texas.  David leaves behind his wife, Trudy Duyka Durham of Bellville; son, Barton Craig Durham and his wife, Julie, of Tomball, Texas; daughter, Darcy Durham of Austin, Texas, daughter, Kelsey Durham of Houston, Texas, daughter, Elyse Hlavinka of Schulenburg, Texas, and son, Eli Hlavinka of Bellville, Texas.  Mr. Durham also leaves behind two grandchildren, Carsen Durham and Mathew Silva, both of Tomball, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  In addition to family, David leaves behind an abundant amount of friends and former students and student-athletes of whom he left a lasting and positive impact. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Parkinson's Foundation, the David Durham memorial Scholarship Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, or purchase a book or basketball for a youth program to make him smile.