Dennis Eugene Durick was born to Dennis and Lida (Olson) Durick on Aug. 18, 1918 at his parent's home in White Butte, SD. He attended Lemmon High School and was in the graduating class of 1935. After high school, he entered Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND where he was fascinated by the sciences and eager to learn. While there, he worked two full time jobs to pay the bills and buy his books.


When World War II broke out, he chose to serve his country and enlisted in the U. S. Navy. There he earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander as a Navy fighter pilot. He spent two tours in the Pacific Campaign and saw heavy aerial combat. He was involved in the battles of Layte and Guadalcanal. Gene learned to love the Navy and to hate war. He knew the true cost of America's freedoms from personal sacrifice and in gratitude; he never took them for granted. His experiences left him with a deep reverence for his father God, and a call to service within his community.


After his return to Lemmon, Dennis met Maxine Smith and they were married on Dec. 30, 1948 at Lemmon. He worked for a short time at Smith's Drug, but soon began farming and ranching west of Lemmon, near his father's homestead. He served his community by joining the Lemmon Fire Department and his church by singing in the choir. He also took part in community theater, the Lemmon Clown Band, a barbershop quartet, community chorus and playing baseball and volleyball.


Later, when he accepted that alcohol had become a problem in his life, he stopped drinking and was on of a handful of men and women who formed the first self-help group in Lemmon. Perhaps his greatest contribution to his fellowman was his work in the community, area and state as an advocate for mental health and addictions treatment. He died proudly with over 50 years of continuous sobriety, and many lives were deeply touched by his words and example.


In his personal life, Dennis loved people and social events. He liked to learn about others and loved to discuss things with those who could challenge his politics or opinions on daily events. He always had time for his friends when they needed to talk and was a ready, helping hand for those who needed a lift-up. Dennis believed in giving more than he took, whether it was from the land as a farmer and a custodian of the earth, or in his interactions with the people of his everyday life. He led, not by words but by his actions.


Dennis lived a long and fruitful life. Along the way, he sowed many good seeds in the world around him. Heaven welcomed him home during a quiet rain in the early morning of May 20, 2007 at Five Counties Nursing Home where he resided.


He is survived by his daughter Bonnie, his son David, his grandson Chad, a brother Allen Durick, numerous nieces and nephews and in the memories and lives of the many whose world he had shared.

He was preceded by one son, Dennis, his wife, Maxine, brothers, Les, and Norman, and sisters, Margaret Barrett, Florence Spenny, and Dorothy Kroft.


Services will be Thursday, May 24 at 2 PM at Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church with Florence Hoff, CLP officiating.