Carlos Danny Duran SR.'s Obituary
Carlos "Charlie" Danny Duran Sr. passed away on May 24, 2022, at the age of 70. His battle with serious medical issues in recent months showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile, followed by laughter.
Despite the pain he was in, Carlos stayed strong and continued telling his jokes until the end. Even though his failing body took him from this world, his wit and sense of humor left an imprint on the hearts of his family, friends, and medical team. Carlos was a caring partner, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.
He was born to Carlos and Rita Duran on October 6, 1951. As a young man, Carlos entered the US Army and proudly served in the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, he went to a trade school to learn upholstery. He worked as an upholster for 44 years, 20 of those years were spent working on aircraft interior when he earned the prestigious award of an aircraft repairman through the FFA, which he maintained until he retired this year. He took great pride in his work and profession and it showed by his dedication and creativity. Although he was a humble man, he was known as a "celebrity" in his field.
In his free time, Carlos enjoyed doing leather work and making dream catchers related to his native American heritage. He loved watching a movie from his collection of DVDs, watching boxing, going to a concert, going to a comedy show to learn more jokes to tell to those around him, going to the casino, spending time with his immediate family, brothers, and extended family, and always looked forward to a standing breakfast or lunch date with his daughter.
In his younger years, Carlos had a passion for music and was in a band where he played the conga drum. He liked dancing salsa, merengue, and cumbia, listening to Spanish music, and never turned away a good Mariachi band. Carlos is known for his hats as he had one for every occasion, his ironed and pressed pants and shirts, his perfectly shined shoes, his dark sunglasses whether it be night or day, his long ponytail, and don’t forget his shiny car that he dusted daily. He was notorious for his famous one-liners that he said often. He had a sweet tooth and love for Mexican food. He spent his last days enjoying cookies, Starbuck’s pastries or as he would say “Fivebucks”, and carnitas tacos. His highlights in the hospital were his days of innocently flirting with his nurses who eventually all referred to him as “papa”.
Carlos is survived by his partner of 20 years, Kathy: his daughters Christina (Mark) and Rita; his son Carlos Jr.; his step-daughters Erica (Dana) and Rebecca (Brian Jr.); his step-sons Nicholas and David; his grandchildren Kameron, Dylan, Mia, Moriah, Kaitlyn, Bella, Brian III, and James; great-granddaughters Ariella and Myla; his brothers Carlos Edward, Carlos Micheal, and Ron; sisters Carla and Moreen. He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Gina; his brothers Joseph, Robert (Bobby), and Steven; his sister Patricia.
Carlos will be honored in a celebration of life on June 24, 2022. A funeral service and graveside ceremony are scheduled at 1 pm at Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, followed by a short reception at the same location.
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