James "Jim" Patrick Durbin, 80, passed away on March 12, 2021, in Fayetteville, NC. Jim was born in New Albany, IN on December 6, 1940 to the late Leo Durbin and parents Ada Davis Harris and George Harris. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Loretta.

Affectionately known as Jimmy, he began his early antics in Jeffersonville Township IN. At the age of 10, the state police were called to hunt down the little scamp after he ran away. He was later found hiding in a tree by his brother. His relationship with the law was ensured with his passion of rebuilding and test-driving muscle cars.

Began his military career in the Indiana National Guard as a Heavy Weapons Infantryman: then transferred into the United States Army as a Transportation Movement Specialist, retiring as a Sergeant First Class after 24 years of service. Jim had several tours of duty to Korea, as well as Okinawa, West Germany and many US locations (VA, CA, AL, NC) during his career. He received accolades for his dedication to work and the community. Jim volunteered to take on special duties, extra assignments, planning unit parties, community rodeos, and assisting with programs at the local elementary school. In 1967 he received the honor of a monetary award for submitting a beneficial suggestion to reduce expenses for equipment repair that, within the first year, created a savings for the Army of $16, 200.

Upon military retirement, he began a second career at American Mobile Home Supply and furthered his education by attending Fayetteville Technical Institute where he earned two Associate Degrees.

In 2003, Jim relocated with his wife, Loretta for her civilian posting to Wurzburg, Germany. They had many adventures exploring internationally, where Jim increased his German stein collection and driving the autobahn satiated his love for high speed. Excursions at sea with the Disney Cruise Line were immensely enjoyed for the cuisine, pin collecting and trading, wearing shorts for the first time EVER, and visiting exotic ports. In Jim's leisure time, you would find him enjoying action and western movies, cultivating multiple varieties of roses, sprucing up the yard, tinkering in the garage, and designing the next year's elaborate Christmas light display.

Survivors include daughters Tammy Hurt (William Brown); Cindee Campbell (Jeffrey); Michele Kennedy (Michael Gephart); Sandra Durbin, and daughter-by-friendship Lisa Popish, as well as his five grandchildren: Alexandra Campbell, Connor, Teagan, and Brenen Gephart and Alora Popish. He is also survived by his siblings, Donald Durbin, Linda Doughty and Suzanne Robbins.

Visitation for Jim will be held on March 16, 2021, from 12-2 PM at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville, NC. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation or Dementia Society of America.

Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

Online condolences may be sent to www.jerniganwarren.com

Dementia Society of America
188 N. Main St., Doylestown PA 18901
Tel: 1-800-336-3684
Web: https://www.dementiasociety.org/

Diabetes Action Research and Education
PO Box 34635, Bethesda MD 20827
Web: http://INFO@DIABETESACTION.ORG