Gaylen R. Durham

Gaylen R. Durham, MSgt USAF (Ret.)

August 2, 1930 – June 25, 2022



Gaylen R. Durham passed away at home in Papillion, NE, after a brief illness. Loving husband, father, family bedrock, and a true patriot. He never met a stranger. Guy was a pioneer in so many ways. He enlisted in the Air Force just 18 months after the young Service was born. He served in supply, logistics, and weather observation positions, doing everything from flying into the eyes of hurricanes off Bermuda to serving in combat zones during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. After retirement, he truly focused on his family and attended every milestone event. He encouraged his daughters to be strong women and pursue careers -- Elizabeth in the Air Force; Stephanie in UPS; and Kathryn in healthcare. We are all so fortunate to have had the chance to know him.



Preceded in death by parents, Roy and Martha Durham; mother and father-in-law, Beulah and Ralph Munyon.

Survived by wife, Barbara Durham; daughters, Elizabeth (Richard) Ruiz, Stephanie (Scott) Deines and Kathryn Boyce (Todd Grippin); grandchildren: Jonathan (Kelsie) Ruiz, Nathaniel Ruiz, Matthew Ruiz, Julia Boyce and Blakeley Boyce; great grandchildren, Olivia and Cole Ruiz; brother-in-law, Dwayne Munyon; sister-in-law, Betty Olander.



Memorial Service Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11:00AM at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries Bellevue Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow at Omaha National Cemetery.