Felix Duran

Felix was born on March 3, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas, at 3 years old his family moved to Romita, Guanajuato Mexico. Although Felix did not grow up with an abundance of wealth he had an abundance of love. He always said he never knew he was poor because he was spoiled and happy. Felix loved to talk about his childhood and life experiences. In Romita there were limited opportunities to excel in school but his teachers recognized his abilities and singled him out. He achieved a teachers certificate and taught grade schoolers in a small town in Guanajuato. He also taught local farmers about irrigation so they could be prosperous with their land. Felix was an American citizen and his community knew this, they gave him the nickname Gringo. Felix wanted the opportunities every American has so he chose to leave Mexico at age 17. He headed for Kansas City with his sister Josephine to meet their brother John who had already returned to the U.S.

Felix found work and did a variety of jobs from working in junk yard to working in the manufacturing lines. Within two years he married his wife of 65 years, Helen. Felix was not proficient speaking English and recognized the need for proficiency to excel in the workplace. He went to school obtained a GED and began moving up on the job, from being on the line to becoming the lead man to supervisor. Felix not only excelled at work, he also was successful in his home life. He and Helen raised six children, owned their own home and he was always able to help his children and others with finances and advice. He always shared stories of Mexico and took his family to Mexico yearly as children. He shared his love of Mexico and culture and instilled that love of culture with his family. We know our roots. Felix was fortunate to have visited his beloved Guanajuato this past October and again shared stories with the family that accompanied him. Felix was well aware of his small stature, he told us stories of how he was called “chaparrito” and how his mother told him that he is more than his size. Had you the opportunity to meet him you would forget his size and see a man of enormous heart and mind. He may have started out with little but left this world knowing he was blessed with an overwhelming abundance of love and respect from those he left behind.