Walter Francis Durbin Born in Atoka, Oklahoma on July 28, 1919, Walter was the son of John Henry Durbin and Mary Lena Durbin. Walter's father was fatally injured while working on a railroad car in Hannibal, Missouri before Walter was born. Walter's mother moved to Atoka to support her six children by accepting boarders at her home in Atoka. A World War II veteran, Walter joined the U.S. Air Force four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Walter served two years in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and two years as a Tech Sergeant in the Intelligence Department at Hickam Field, Honolulu, Hawaii. Before the war, Walter and Johnnie (his oldest brother) opened a produce store on South Ohio Street in Atoka in April, 1938. It was very successful. They moved the business to the Phillips building in 1939 and had the largest grocery store in Atoka. After the war, the brothers went back into business. They were hard working, successful businessmen known around southeastern Oklahoma as "Durbin Brothers". Their slogan was "Try Durbins Atoka". Walter was a devoted Christian and lived his faith by serving as an elder in the Church of Christ, teaching Bible studies, and preaching at Kiowa, Lane, Farris, and Caney, Oklahoma. Walter married Marjorie Lou McAnulty on April 13, 1946. They celebrated 62 years of marriage this year. Walter was a devoted husband; father to Walter Gene (Sonny) Durbin and wife Sherry, Kauffman, Texas; Mary (Durbin) Ferguson and husband Roy, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Judy (Durbin) Mann and Husband Tom, Mineola, Texas. Walter and Marjorie helped raise their granddaughter Dayna (Durbin) Grissett. Walter was also grandfather ("Pap") to Jeff and Blake Ferguson, Wayne and Shane White, Misty Farrell, Kristal Arana-Leo, Stacy Avery, Angie Webb, and Sarah Prince, and great grandfather to Brianna and Caleb Farrell, and Holden and Max Grissett. Walter also had many nieces and nephews. Walter, Johnnie, and Lloyd (their middle brother) were successful businessmen who were active in the Atoka Community. Walter was among the last of a generation that was rich in heritage representing a greatwork ethic, church service, family men, and community involvement. These men will be missed, but their impact on others' lives will be passed on to many generations.