Fredrick Durbin

Frederick “Fred” Lincoln Durbin passed away peacefully in his home Monday, February 11th, 2019 at the age of 63. Fred was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma on September 25, 1955, to Kellie and Freda Durbin.  Fred grew up and attended school in Blackwell. Growing up, Fred was a member of the local DeMolay Chapter, an international fraternal organization for young men ages 12 to 21. Fred enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas, 1st Infantry Division better known as “The Big Red One.” While at Fort Riley, Fred had requested to be stationed in Panama, however, after being sent to Germany for a brief NATO training exercise, he put in a second request hoping to be stationed there instead.  Fred’s first request was honored, and he was sent to serve in Panama. Fred was a truck driver for most of his time in Panama and spoke of how that wasn’t a bad job considering they always had the nicest and newest vehicles to drive. Upon discharge from the Army, Fred married his wife, Juanita, in a New Years Eve ceremony, December 31st, 1979. They started their life together in his hometown of Blackwell. Fred and Juanita lived in Blackwell for several years and had four children, William John, Daniel Frederick, Elizabeth Rachel and John Michael. Fred worked as a CNC machinist at Smith Tool as well as Mertz Manufacturing. He retired from Mertz in 2018 and was looking forward to spending time with his family and working on his 1981 El Camino.

Fred is survived by his son William Cusack and wife Michele of Ponca City, son Daniel Durbin and wife Ruby of Blackwell, daughter Elizabeth Webb and husband Nathan of Ponca City, son John Durbin and wife Sarah of Ponca City. He is also survived by his grandchildren Mia Cusack, Julie Durbin, Ava and Jensen Webb and Lillie Durbin. He is survived by 4 siblings, brother, Joe Durbin, sisters Linda Durbin, Jane Lowater and Candi Holt. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Juanita Marie, his parents, his maternal grandparents Fred and Edna Musselman and his paternal grandparents.
A memorial service will be held in Fred’s honor on Sunday, February 24th at 1pm at the Carolyn Renfrow Center inside North Central Oklahoma Hospice, located in Ponca City, OK. Flowers and condolences may be offered at 1609 Cedar Lane, Ponca City, OK 74604.