Gerald "Gerry" Lynn Duran

Gerald "Gerry" Lynn Duran passed away November 6, 2022, in North Little Rock, Ark. He was born April 7, 1943, to Dennis and Ailene Duran in Fayetteville, Ark. He spent his youth years in Sherwood, where he graduated from Sylvan Hills High School in 1961, and then received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Arkansas State Teacher's College (UCA) and his Master of Science in Education and Supervision from University of Arkansas. He married Ruth Ann Terrill and moved to Harrison, where he began his career in education as a teacher and principal at Forest Heights and Eagle Heights schools. He left education and pursued careers in dry cleaning, arcades, and real estate. Gerry's passion for teaching led him back to education in the Pulaski County Special School District at Sylvan Hills Middle School and Jacksonville Middle School. He married Terri Hilliard in 2006, and together they were involved in the Jacksonville Lions Club and sponsored the Leo club at the middle schools. Gerry was a lifelong Methodist and had been a member at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Harrison and at Sylvan Hills United Methodist in Sherwood. Music was an important part of his life. He enjoyed singing in church choirs and playing trombone in the North Little Rock Community Band. He spent many hours restoring musical instruments so that any student could have an instrument for beginning band. After retirement he and Terri enjoyed spending weekends digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park, he enjoyed Scrabble games with his family, and games of Words with Friends. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Dennis Duran, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Terri; his daughter, Leslie (Robert) May of Pearland, Texas; and his son, Lynn (Laura) Duran of Conway, Ark.; and three grandchildren Smyth (Colleen) May of Bothell, Wash., Chloe May of Seattle, Wash., and Lillian May of Pearland, Texas; two brothers, Ron Duran of Sherwood, Ark., and Darrell (Pam) Duran, of Austin, Ark.; his close friend and mother of his children, Ruth Ann Duran of Hartman, Ark.; and a host of nieces and nephews, all who were his favorite. Open visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday November 9, at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, at the funeral home with Pastor Matthew Duran officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rest Hills Cemetery in Sherwood. Pallbearers will be Denny Duran, Daniel Duran, Robert May, David Gershner, Dennis Terrill, and Matthew Duran. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Jolly, John Wiley, and the grandchildren. Online guestbook www.SmithFamilyCares.com