Guadalupe "Lupe" Duron, 85, died unexpectedly January 14th, 2018, at Providence Hospital. He was born August 7, 1932, in Waco, Texas, the son of Santiago and Romana Duron.
Guadalupe attended St. Francis Elementary, St. Mary's Academy, West Junior High and Waco High School. After high school, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
Lupe was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas and Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico before being sent to serve in the Korean War for a year and a half. After serving in the Air Force for six years, he married the love of his life, Carolyn Flores, and they eventually settled back in Waco. Together they celebrated 52 years of marriage and raised seven children. After the death of his first wife, he married Janie Moreno and they enjoyed 11 years together.
He worked for General Tire until 1971. Afterwards, he taught Vocational Construction and coached the golf team at Jefferson Moore High School before retiring from Waco ISD after 21 years. After retirement, he went on to work for the City of Waco as the director of the South Waco Community Center. Guadalupe was a founding member of the Pan American Golf Association of Waco and the Waco Missions. He was selected to serve as the president of the Louis Cabrerra Neighborhood Council which worked closely with staff of EOAC.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Carolyn Duron, he was predeceased by his son, Michael; his two sisters, Blasa Rodriguez and Hilaria Lopez, and his brother Julian Duron, Sr.
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment and source of pride was his family. He is survived by his sister, Tina Chavez; his brothers, Margarito and Rufus Duron; his children Graciela Smith, Mario Duron, Marcela Duron, Bianca Ochoa and her husband Ralph, Cecilia Pittman, Robert Duron and his wife, Jodi. He was blessed with 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Visitation and Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m., January 17, at Connally-Compton Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be observed at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a graveside service to follow at Oakwood Cemetery.