George M. Durner

George M. Durner, 83, of 51 Wolfe Cove Road, Asheville, died Saturday, February 15, 2003, at his home. Mr. Durner was born April 18, 1919, in Birmingham, AL, to the late Augustus J. and Jane F. Rogers Durner. He moved to Buncombe County in 1923, and was educated at St. Genevieve of the Pines, the Asheville City Schools, Asheville-Biltmore Junior College, and NC State University. He was married to Audrey Cannady Durner who died June 28, 1998, and was also preceded in death by a sister, Rita Durner Sherrill and brothers, Roger, Gus and Edward Durner. Mr. Durner volunteered for the Army Air Corps and served as a Liason Pilot during WW II in the C.B.I. Theater. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Clusters and other decorations. In addition, he served as P.T. instructor for the entire squadron. After the war he worked for the NC State Highway Department before becoming a partner with his brother Roger in the A.J. Durner and Son General Building Contractors. He served the community with this company for 43 years and built Asheville Catholic School (known at the time as St. Eugene School) as well as many other notable projects. He was a founding member of St. Eugene Catholic Church and was a member of the St. Eugene Men’s Club, the Knights of Columbus, the 2nd Air Commandos, the Hump Pilot Association, the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars. George Durner devoted his life to service to his community and many area groups and agencies benefited from his efforts, including MANNA Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, the Boy Scouts, ABCCM, and numerous youth sports teams over the years. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, George M. and Danielle Dupont Durner of Roye, France and Henry Joseph and Latisha Chandler Durner of Marietta, GA; two daughters and son-in-law, Catherine Durner and John F. Ball of Asheville and A. Elizabeth Durner of Erwin, TN; six grandchildren, Sarah, Claire, Dominique and Stephanie Durner of Roye, France, and Joanna and Emily Ball of Asheville; and many nieces and nephews and godchildren. Krisztina Krivatsy Stern, his precious and devoted companion in his final years, also survives him. A Wake service is planned for Friday evening at 7:30 pm at St. Eugene Catholic Church and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am Saturday at St. Eugene’s. The Reverend Father Francis T. Cancro will preside with the Rev. Fr. James K. Solari , the Rev. Fr. Bernard Manley, and the Rev. Mr. Michael Zboyovski concelebrating. Interment will follow at Lewis Memorial Park. At other times, Mr. Durner’s family will be at his residence, 51 Wolfe Cove Road. Memorials may be made to the Asheville Catholic School Educational Foundation, 12 Culvern Street, Asheville, NC 28804, in honor of Audrey Durner, or to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.