William R. (Bob) Durrett

William R. “Bob” Durrett grew up in a family dedicated to education. His late father worked for the Dallas Independent School District for 47 years and was the first principal at Kimball High School. Then, Mr. Durrett worked for the district for 32 years and rose through the ranks to serve as principal at three elementary schools.

“He had a special relationship with his father and he wanted to be just like him,” said Mr. Durrett’s daughter, Carrie Durrett of Dallas. “It was important for him to follow in his father’s footsteps.”

Mr. Durrett, 73, died Sunday of complications from pneumonia.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at White Rock United Methodist Church, 1450 Old Gate Lane in Dallas. A reception will follow in the church parlor.

Born in Oak Cliff, Mr. Durrett attended Winnetka Elementary while his father, William P. “Bill” Durrett, was the school principal. In his father’s obituary, he was quoted as saying, “He knew I was in trouble before I did.”

After graduation from Adamson High School, Mr. Durrett attended North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. He received a doctorate from Nova University.

In 1962, his teaching career started in the Richardson Independent School District at Lake Highlands Junior High, where he taught social studies. He left teaching for a few years to work at Collins Radio before returning to education. His tenure with the DISD started in 1971. He taught at Gaston and Franklin middle schools before becoming assistant principal at Franklin. After serving as assistant principal at Brown and Stockard Middle schools, Mr. Durrett became principal at Donald Elementary. He also served as principal at Lagow and Macon elementary schools.

His daughter said he retired from Macon Elementary in 2003 to take care of his wife, the late Sherry P. Durrett.

She had worked for the Dallas school district as a high school librarian.

Along with his commitment to education, Mr. Durrett was active in his community. A lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves, he was involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, Indian Guides and Princesses, his church and Rotary.

Fellow Rotary member Warren Rutherford of Dallas met Mr. Durrett and his father in 1985.

“They were an institution here, especially his father,” Rutherford said. “Everyone admired them.”

Dallas school district colleague and former principal Jack London described Mr. Durrett as “a real professional educator and very organized. He was a speaker at elementary and education conventions and the first to volunteer in the district’s year-round school.”

Their friendship, which spans about 50 years, included meeting for breakfast to talk about everything, London said.

Along with his daughter, Mr. Durrett is survived by son Dan Durrett of Austin; sister Barbara Stidham of Sonoma, Calif.; several nieces, a nephew, great-nephews and great-nieces; and several in-laws.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to White Rock United Methodist Church or the Rotary International Club.