Dr. John Ridgway Durant

Dr. John Ridgway Durant passed away Sunday, October 28, 2012 at the age of 82. Dr. Durant was born on July 29, 1930 to Thomas M. and Jean de Vries Durant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Durant graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1948. After earning his BA degree from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA in 1952, he received his medical degree from Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA in 1956. After completing his internship at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. in 1957, Dr. Durant served as Junior Assistant Resident in Medicine at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT in 1957 – 1958. A Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1958 – 1960 at the W.M. O. Charleston Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC. , Dr. Durant completed his residency at Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA in 1962 before joining the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1968 where he founded the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1972. In 1982, he left UAB to become the president of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. Returning to UAB as Vice President of Health Affairs and Director of the Medical Center in 1988, Dr. Durant retired from that post in 1995. In retirement, he was named Executive Vice President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Alexandria, VA. He remained there until his second retirement in 2001 after which he served on numerous advisory committees and boards. Dr. Durant is survived by his wife of 23 years, Mary Sue Avery Durant; children, Michele Lewandowski (Brad), Jennifer Durant Williams (Eric), Maxwell Lynn Reeves, Jr. (Lori), and Daniel Avery Dillon (Cori); grandchildren, Danielle Fergus (Kyle), Kimberly & Christopher Lewandowski, Ellen & Caroline Reeves, Daniel, Jr. and Beau Dillon; one sister, Catherine Durant Voorhees (Dave); several nephews, nieces, and cousins. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 1, 2012 in the sanctuary of Mountain Brook Baptist Church with visitation in Hudson Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UAB Cancer Center

1802 16th Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35294

And

Mountain Brook Baptist Church

3631 Montevallo Road

Mountain Brook, AL 35213

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mountain Brook Baptist Church, or a charity of your choice. The services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, AL (879-3401).