Dexter R. Durant Jr., 74 a longtime resident of Merrimack, NH died Saturday Dec. 23, 2023 at Catholic Medical Center after nearly a 2-year fight with heart disease.
He was born in Keene, NH on Sept. 22, 1949, a son of the late Dexter R. Durant Sr. and Virginia (Black) Durant. Dexter came from humble beginnings and faced obstacles and challenges that many families experienced after the Depression. Despite hardship, his childhood was filled with love and support.
Fighting against stereotypes that “college isn’t for people like him,” Dexter graduated from Keene State College and was a proud member of the TKE fraternity. He enjoyed seeing his brothers regularly, even 50 years later. He went on to earn an MBA from Rivier University in 1978.
Dexter was strong. He won multiple arm-wrestling championships and could beat anyone. He would tell you that too. He also would tell you that he got “best build in high school.” Over the years, he often found himself in situations playing cards with Big Papi and Bill Belichick or hitting golf balls with Tim Wakefield and Alfonso Ribeiro. He was an interesting character.
Before retirement, he was employed at Amazon Robotics in North Reading and worked in Quality Control. Dexter travelled the world. He’s been to Germany, Japan, China, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Netherlands, the list goes on. He was proud of his career and certainly made a name for himself in his field.
He was a proud husband, father, and grampie and was very close with his family. Members of his surviving family, include his wife of 48 years, Christine M. (Pineault) Durant of Merrimack; a daughter Jennifer Durant of Manchester, NH; a granddaughter, Lily Gagnon; and a sister Michele Durant of Alabama; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Dexter was pre-deceased by a daughter Megan Durant who died in 1995; nephew Ryan Pardue; and sister, Brenda Dean.
The tragic loss of Dexter’s youngest daughter, Megan, in a car accident devastated him. Despite this tremendous loss, he remained strong and present for his wife and daughter, Jenny. His love for them was evident daily. When his surviving daughter, Jenny, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, he quickly became her biggest advocate. He researched doctors, stayed on top of up-and-coming medicine, and attended every appointment for years. He even subscribed to monthly magazines to stay up-to-date on cutting edge treatment and prayed for a cure. His heart grew even bigger when his granddaughter, Lily, came along in 2012. Lily was his whole world. His family was his life and he was the foundation for so many.
Calling hours will be held in the Rivet Funeral Home & Crematorium, 425 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack, NH on December 28, 2023 from 4 – 6:30 PM. Funeral service will be held at 6:30PM. Burial will be held privately in the family lot at Last Rest Cemetery where he will be laid to rest alongside his beautiful daughter, Megan.
Those who wish to make memorial contributions in his name, may do so to the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence at NHCADSV.org. He supported his daughter working in the movement and prided himself on protecting victims of crime and ensuring justice for all.