Rodney Richard "Rick" Durham's Obituary
Rodney Richard “Rick” Durham died on February 28, 2023, at Kobacker House, Columbus, Ohio.
Rick was born in Fresno, California to Rodney Reed Durham and Roberta A. Norwood on July 31, 1939. He lived in Washington, D.C. before moving to Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1957. While there, he met Linda Ross, who he somehow managed to convince to marry him. Rick and Linda operated the family’s waste disposal company, Trash Collection Company or TCC, started in 1948 by Rodney. During his time as President of TCC, Rick served a term as the President of the Ohio chapter of the National Solid Waste Management Association.
Rick and Linda were married for 54 years—they spent those years traveling, bowling, partying, and raising their three sons James R., John. R., and Joseph R. (we know) as well as their goddaughter Mary Kay Rife. Jim, John, and Joe recall Rick and Linda’s love of competition, from sports to games of bridge with friends, and the countless hours the pair spent at their baseball games and bowling matches over the years. Jim and John, the twins, specifically recall the helicopter Rick rented to make sure Linda could attend both of their college graduation ceremonies, which took place on the same day.
Rick and Linda eventually moved to Circleville, Ohio, where Rick enjoyed pond fishing for bluegill at the family’s farmhouse and playing Phase 10, affectionately known as “Skip Rick,” in the garage. Rick’s children, their spouses Nona Durham, Nora Durham, Leslie Wiley, and his three grandchildren, Whitney, Madison, and Jenna Rae will miss Rick’s abiding appreciation for corn, as well as his warm hugs, his love of storytelling, and his deep, rolling laugh.
After Linda’s death in 2013, Rick met JoAnn Schlegler, who lived with him until his death. Rick and JoAnn were a huge comfort to one another, and the Durham family extends its thanks to the staff at Forest Hills Nursing Home and Wyngate Senior Living, as well as the care team at Kobacker House.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Columbus Schools Special Olympics or the North YMCA in Columbus
Goodbye, darlin’. May your bewildering luck with scratch-off lottery tickets be passed on to your family.
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