Stephen John Durel, Jr., of Northport, AL, was born March 10, 1946 in New Orleans, LA and passed away on August 13, 2022 at home. A visitation to celebrate his life will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Magnolia Chapel North with Skelton Funeral home directing. A graveside service will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Carrollton City Cemetery with Rev Penny Ford officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
Stephen was preceded in death by his father, Stephen John Durel, Sr.; mother, Mary Dell Causey Jeffries; step-father, A. J. Jeffries; brother, HIllard "Bo" Bonds and many aunts, uncles, and cousins as the Causeys and Durels were large Baptist and Catholic families.
Stephen is survived by his wife of 39 years, Carolyn Cox Durel; his daughter, Dina Lyn Durel, son, Clay (Katey) Arnold; brothers-in-law Keith Cox, Mike (Amy) Cox and David (Ginny) Cox; the light of his life, great-nephew Clayton Cox; special nieces and nephews, Grace (Bron) Whitten, Wes (Sara) Cox, Steven (Melissa) Cox and Brian Cox; as well as other nieces and numerous cousins local and scattered across the country.
Stephen graduated from Tuscaloosa High School and miraculously (no thanks to English) from Alabama College (Univ. of Montevallo) in Finance where he was a member of Delta Fraternity –yes, another Animal House. Stephen retired from First Federal Bank after 48 years in the banking industry where he loved mortgage lending and helping buyers purchase their dream home. Stephen participated in many civic and community activities and fund raisers and truly enjoyed Homebuilders Association clay shoots and lunch with Tuscaloosa Board of Realtors. A true penny pincher he rarely ever paid full price for anything unless he met his negotiating match which was rare. Stephen enjoyed hunting, fishing, racing, and Bama football and was an amateur expert on guns and knives and John Wayne movies that he watched ad nauseam.
Pallbearers will be Billy Boyd, Bev Leigh, Jim Causey, Mark Causey, Holley Poole and Patrick McKane. Honorary Pallbearers are Employees of First Federal Bank, Joann and J. W. Arendale, Laura Gregory McKane, Brett Copenhaver, Brooks Copenhaver, Cherie Causey, Dr. Artie Pandey, Dr. Curtis Tucker, Dr. James Evans, the staff of Lewis-Manderson Cancer Center and the caretakers from Hospice of West Alabama.
In lieu of flowers raise a glass of Old Forrester (or your favorite drink) as a toast to his life or please consider donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital Memorial Giving, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9969 or a charity of your choice.