Comment from his wife, Laura Durant, on Facebook

This was by far the hardest writing assignment I’ve ever had. To condense the life of my sweetheart into a few hundred words. I’m now putting together the details for his Nov. 9 memorial – 3pm at Stagebrush Theatre. Nowadays it’s often referred to as a “celebration of life”; one friend suggested calling it a “wrap party”. But to me it feels more like an “unfinished symphony”

Obituary published in the Arizona Republic Oct. 8, 2014

Douglas Durant III passed away July 4, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born in Altoona PA on August 8, 1955 to Betty Butterbaugh Durant and Douglas Durant Jr. Doug was an inspirational teacher, gifted musician and composer. He was a skilled gardener, an avid reader and enjoyed doing the New York Times crossword puzzle – in pen. He received his Bachelors degree in Music from Grand Canyon University and an MFA in vocal pedagogy from Arizona State University. He traveled in a wide variety of performing arts circles as a folk musician, music history instructor, voice teacher, opera singer, rock & roll historian, actor, scuba diver and a passionate aviator. Doug was a seasoned music director in both theaters and churches. He was most recently the choir director for First Christian Church in Scottsdale where he premiered a number of original works and was also on the music faculty at Mesa Community College. He fought a heroic battle with leukemia for many years, followed by a successful stem-cell transplant. Doug is survived by his beloved wife, Laura Durant; daughter Katherine Durant of Newark, DE; sister Barbara Herman of Lubbock, TX and brother Chuck Durant of Phoenix AZ. He will be dearly missed by many, including his devoted feline companions, Moses and Leo. A celebration of life will be held later in the fall.