James Thomas Durller

James Thomas Durller, from Fort Edward New York and Arlington Vermont, born November 2nd, 1947, passed away peacefully November 3rd, 2018. 
Called “Chief” from his hunting tribe, Jim was an avid conservationist, master storyteller, and a natural teacher/mentor stemming from a lifelong thirst for knowledge. Jim valued quality and character in both things and people and never measured a person with a ruler. He sought internal qualities and followed Christ as his guide.
Jim graduated from Fort Edward High School in 1965 while caring for his father. In 1967 he enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving two tours as a RVN Radar/Fire Control in Vietnam, honorably discharged as a Sergeant with Secret Clearance in 1971. He earned a BS in Business Administration from ACC and SUNY Albany becoming Plant Cost Accountant/Plant Comptroller of American Home Products in Argyle from 1975 to 1996.
Jim then went back to SUNY Adirondack and SUNY Plattsburgh to earn his Masters Degree in Education. He taught at SUNY Adirondack as Adjunct Professor of America History. Jim was active in the Fort Edward Historical Association as a trustee and volunteered his time at the Fort Ticonderoga Friends Association, Adirondack Museum, NY State Forest Owners Association, Cornell Cooperative Extension as both a Master Gardener and Master Forest Owner, and was a National Rifle Association Life Member.
Jim was predeceased by his parents Margret (Malloly) Durller and Joseph Durller, sister Margret Durller Gillis, and brother in law Laurence Gillis. He is survived by wife Melinda Reid Durller, daughter Dublin Durller-Wilson (Tristan Wilson), son Daniel Durller (Sara Hahn), grandson Calvin Durller, brother George Durller (Margret Durller), as well as nieces and nephews Stephen Gillis (Kate Gillis), Todd Gillis, Scott Gillis (Laura Gillis), Michael Durller, and Shelly Durller.
An Interment of Ashes Ceremony will take place 10am Friday, November 9th at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery (200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY) with USMC Color Guard followed by a Noon memorial service at Durkeetown Baptist Church (2 Durkeetown Road, Fort Edward, NY) with reception following.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made or sent to Battenkill Conservancy (battenkillconservancy.org), Adirondack Vets House (adirondackvetshouse.com) or Vermont Veterans’ Home (vvh.vermont.gov).
 

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