John Linwood Durrett

John Linwood Durrett, 96, of Lake Charles, passed away on May 6, 2020. He was born to parents, John Franklin Durrett and Ulna Woods Durrett on June 23, 1923, in Strong, Arkansas. The small family moved to Bastrop, Louisiana where Linwood graduated from Bastrop High School and earned a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech University. He left the university early to join the war efforts in the US Navy and proudly served his country for 3 years before re-entering college and receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University. Linwood was immediately hired as a petroleum engineer in Hackberry by Amoco Oil Company and after stints in Tulsa, Houston and New Orleans, he returned to Lake Charles in 1978 as the District Superintendent.  With 37 years of loyal service, he retired from Amoco and spent his time enjoying golfing, fishing, hunting, camping, snow-skiing, traveling, reading and walking his dogs, “Faith and Hope”. He lived life to the fullest.

Linwood is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, the mother of his children, Frances Durrett. Upon Frances’ death, he was very fortunate to find love again with Isabelle Dugas Durrett, who survives him. He is also survived by his children, John Duke Durrett of Austin, Texas and Frances Rene (Durrett) Schafer and husband, Curt Schafer of Arlington, Virginia. He was SuperPop to his grandchildren, Natalie Foley and husband Tim of Arlington, Virginia and Grant Schafer and wife Mika of Ashburn, Virginia and great-grandchildren, Savannah and Luke Foley. Linwood dearly loved being with Belle’s family, leaving his extended family, her children, Jonathan Gary, Wendy Santler and Leslie LeDoux and husband Mike, all of Lake Arthur; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

In respect of the current circumstances, family and friends will gather when able to honor and remember Linwood.  In memory, donations may be considered to St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 5495 Elliott Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70605.