F. Charles Duran

F. Charles Duran, 62 died Monday, February 28, at his home in north Topeka, surrounded by family. He had struggled against cancer for over a year. He was born November 11, 1942, in Topeka, the son of Florencio and Mabel Duran and the grandson of Pedro Lopez, a cofounder of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and founder of a popular Mexican food store. Charlie would eventually co-own and operate his grandfather’s business for fourteen years. A 1960 graduate of Topeka High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Julianne Murry, on February 10, 1961. They moved to rural Elmont, where they raised their three children and where he resided until his death. One of his favorite activities was coaching his two sons’ baseball teams in the Shawnee County Amateur Baseball Association (SCABA). Charlie served as SCABA president for the 1977-1978 season. He worked at Goodyear for eighteen years and was active in United Rubber Workers Local 307 (now United Steelworkers), serving as shift steward and photographer/managing editor of the local’s newspaper. His extensive involvement in union –related community service programs, including his co- chairmanship of the Goodyear plant’s United Way drive and chairmanship of the United Way Labor Participation Committee, led to his appointment in 1981 as AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison for the United Way of Greater Topeka. Charlie remained in his position until his death, this year celebrating his twenty-fifth anniversary with United Way. He served as United Way’s interim CEO in 1984. His memberships, honors, and achievements were many. In 1978 Governor Robert Bennett named him a Tradesperson of the Year. In 1980 Charlie received the Campaign Volunteer Award from United Way, and the Topper Award from the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce for his contributions to the enhancement of Topeka’s image and quality of life. He helped found the Project Topeka Community food Drive and in 1989 was recognized for his outstanding leadership in providing food to the needy. In 1998 he applied for the AFL-CIO/United Way Model City Award, an extensive undertaking; his application was accepted, and Topeka was named a Model City. Charlie served as vice-president of the Topeka Federation of Labor and was honored by that organization in 2004 for his dedication to the union members and citizens of Topeka and the State of Kansas. That same year, the Kansas AFL-CIO established the F. Charles Duran AFL-CIO Community Services Award and named Charlie as its first recipient. Other awards include the 1986 Nathan Cave Community Services Award and the 1995 Bill McCormick Community Action Award. He had served on the board of the Rangel Brothers American GI Forum and was current board member of Go Topeka. He also worked on behalf of the annual national letter carriers’ food drive and DAD’s Day (Dads Against Diabetes). Many people know Charlie for his role in creating and organizing the annual Chicken Flying Contest, which for twenty-two years raised funds for Let’s Help, Inc. Two brothers, John Franklin and Augustine, and a sister, Angelita Aguilar, preceded him in death. He survived by his wife, Julie; his daughter, Theresa, and her husband Paul Miller, Fairfax, California; two sons, Chuck and his daughter Kaiti (Lebo) and Chuck’s wife, Shirley, and her son, Cody, Tonganoxie; and Rob and his daughters Rebeka and Calina, Topeka; his brother Richard, Prairie Village; his sister-in-law Rose Duran, Topeka, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Charlie touched the lives of many through his warmth, generosity, and compassion. Topeka has truly lost one of its most dedicated community leaders. Friends and family will gather for a visitation from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, where a parish rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. All are invited to attend a celebration of his life at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Let’s Help warehouses, 2nd and Quincy. Memorial donations may be made to Let’s Help or the United Way of Greater Topeka.

F. Charles Duran

November 11, 1942 - February 28, 2005