Julio Duran

Affectionately known as "JD," Julio Duran, age 97, died March 21, 2023, after a long and fulfilling life. He is survived and beloved by his wife Connie, six of his seven children, eighteen grandchildren, and twenty-eight great grand-children and three great, great grand-children.

He was born in Wagon Mound, New Mexico to Antonio Jose Duran and Amalia Espinoza in August 1925. They had elven children, seven boys and four girls. Of the eleven children, he is survived by his remaining brother, Deacon Carlitos "Charlie" Duran of Wagon Mound, NM.

A World War II Veteran, he joined the US Naval reserves on April 19th, 1943, at the age of seventeen, and served on the USS Copahee Escort Carrier in the South Pacific Theater. He was discharged honorable on April 5, 1946.

After discharge, he married Consuelo (Connie) Melendez on January 14th, 1949, in Wagon Mound New Mexico. They had seven children, Antonio "tony" (passed January 11, 2022), Irene, Eddie, Patricia, David, Julie, and Linda. JD and Connie moved their growing family to Denver in 1950 in a 1931 Model A. JD used his GI Bill to study automotive mechanics and owned a gas station and repair shop in Arvada. He retired as a mechanic for Associated Grocers.

JD was never one to sit still. As well as working on hundreds, if not thousands of cars over a lifetime, he and Connie loved to fish. They bought an RV and a boat and would spend many weekends enjoying Colorado lakes and rivers. JD and Connie loved to dance and when ever they did, everyone watched, they were that good! In later years, they enjoyed going to las Vegas to visit their son Tony's family and up to "the hill" in Blackhawk and Central City to play the penny slots.

JD and Connie have been Arvada residents for over six decades. He will be missed by many, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A favorite memory of all who knew him was his joyful "good Morning" every single day!!

Funeral services will be held over Labor Day weekend in Wagon Mound, New Mexico.