Robert “Bob” Durkis went to relax in heaven on June 9, 2024, where he will continue to look for the next winning horse.
He spent his last days surrounded by his wife Suzy of 58 years, their son Bryan, daughter Holly Lunsford, son-in-law James, grand-girls Parker and Arden. He was embraced and swaddled in their love.
Bob was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1939 and moved to Miami as a young boy. He was committed to the service of others. His accomplished law enforcement career took him from riding motors in Miami-Dade to becoming the elected Sheriff of Hendry County, Florida, an election he won as a write-in candidate. He was known for being tough on crime and treating people fairly.
He was always ready with a really bad dad joke, which his family endured. He loved playing the horses, attending Falcons games with Bryan, holding “Camp Gamp” for Parker and Arden, and always making Holly smile. He and Suzy loved traveling to horse races, fishing the Pensacola Pier and going on picnics together.
We are sending him off with heavy, saddened hearts and with this message in our hearts:
In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. If tears could build a stairway and heartbreak make a lane, we would walk the path to Heaven and bring you home again. Our family chain is broken, and nothing feels the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. Your loving family.
The family will be celebrating his life privately at a later date and suggests donations to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch for remembrances in his honor. www.youthranches.org