Ed Durkin, a native of Anaconda, Mont., was a 1953 graduate of Western Montana College with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with a major in social studies and minors in English and music.
He was a four-year Bulldog football letterman, earning all-conference honors as an offensive lineman in three of the four years. He was a member of the 1949 conference championship team. The 49’ team was the first Bulldog football team to call Vigilante Field home.
Durkin was active on campus as a member of the music club, the French club, M-Club, the Newman Club and the men’s chorus. He was a powerful and accomplished singer who received an invitation, while still in college, to tryout for the Lawrence Welk orchestra.
After graduation, Durkin began his education career teaching fifth grade in Sutherlin, Ore. for two years. He returned to his hometown to teach fifth grade until he retired in 1989. Durkin was a key cog in Anaconda as a member of several service organizations. Music continued to be an important part of his life as a member of church choirs, chorales and the Montana Chorale.
He passed away December 21, 2015
