Donnie Durrant

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PRICE-Donald “Donnie” Edward Durrant, age 61, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by the people he loved the most on Oct. 10, 2016. He was born Nov. 5, 1954 to Thomas Edward Durrant “Ted” and Pauline Roseman Durrant in Dragerton, Utah.
Donnie graduated from East Carbon High School in 1973 where he excelled in sports, especially football. In June of 1974 he married Lynne Pressett (later divorced) and had two daughters; Chasity (Tim) Durrant Tia (Travis) Durrant. On Oct. 14, 1978 Donnie married the love of his life, Pamela Halverson Durrant and had two more children; Donny Durrant and Jillian (Casey) Vuksinick.
Donnie was a lifelong staple in the Utah Coal Industry and was known and respected nationwide for his knowledge of longwall mining. He began his mining career at Kaiser Steel in Sunnyside, Utah in 1973. In 1980 Donnie moved to Emery Mining/Energy West where he stayed until his retirement in January 2001. Donnie worked alongside many great men and lost a lot of friends throughout the years in mining disasters such as the Wilberg Mine fire in 1984 and later as an MSHA inspector during the Crandall Canyon Disaster in 2007. After his retirement from Energy West in 2001, Donnie went to work as a Federal Mine Inspector at MSHA District 9. He took his job as a mine safety inspector very seriously and also served on the Federal Mine Accident Investigation Team. Donnie retired from MSHA in January 2016.
Donnie had a passion for the extreme things in life. He could often be found washing one of his beautiful trucks, on the lake with his boat or winning races at the local short track. Whatever it was Dad did, he did full out..ALWAYS.
Donnie is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Pam Halverson Durrant. Four children: Chasity (Tim) Durrant, Tia (Travis) Durrant, Donny Durrant and Jill (Casey) Vuksinick as well as his “other” children; Bubba, Benny and Doc. Donnie was also the world’s best Grandpa to Shaylee Donathan, Kashley Donathan, Payton Durrant, Addy Mae Durrant, Lucas Vuksinick and Rowan Vuksinick who will dearly miss their “Bop”; siblings, Debra (Dennis) Lake, Stacey (Larry) Leyba and Rick (Veronica) Durrant.
Donnie was preceded in death by parents Ted and Pauline Durrant, brother Dennis Durrant and four of his beloved boxers; Gracie, Boo Boo, Parker and Gretchen.
Funeral service was held, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, 11 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family received friends at Mitchell’s Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Donnie online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.