Randall Craig Durrett
Randall Craig Durrett departed this life June 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family following a valiant battle with cancer.
He was born January 21, 1957, in Austin to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Randall Durrett. Craig attended Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena and graduated in l975. He majored in business at Texas Tech University.
Craig’s interest in car sales was nurtured by his late grandfather R. H. Scott, who helped him began his career at Giles Volkswagen in Houston. Due to his commitment to quality service and making each client’s experience enjoyable, Craig quickly became the top salesman. He was only 19 years old. In his favorite colorful Hawaiian shirts, with a gift for gab and a quick sense of humor, Craig was proud to alter the usual image of car salesmen.
Craig channeled his lifelong passion for cars and anything with wheels and a motor into the successful Durrett Motor Company, Inc., established in Pasadena in 1986. He and his wife Paula celebrated their company’s 36th anniversary this year. They are proud to have made car ownership available to many in their community. He really strived to bring integrity to the car business which led to his long-term success.
However, Durrett Motor Company wouldn’t have enjoyed this success without the dedication and loyalty of its employees – past and present; especially Cande Garcia who celebrated his 30th year with the company last February.
Craig and Paula, the former Paula Blye Philpott, met in Pasadena and were married at South Main Baptist Church Houston in 1977. They spent their early years in Houston before moving to the Clear Lake area in 1991.
The Durretts long supported the Bridge over Troubled Waters, animal shelters and other worthy community organizations.
Craig’s interest in anything with wheels and a motor extended to his love of motorcycles. He was a frequent rider and collector of custom motorcycles. He and Paula also enjoyed boating, traveling in their motor coach and other outdoor activities.
Cherishing his memory are his loving wife, Paula of Friendswood; his mother Mrs. Mary Ann Durrett Miller of The Woodlands; Durrett Motor Company general manager and “daughter” Maria Aguilar of Friendswood; brother Lance Durrett, M. D. and wife Sherry Durrett, D.C. of The Woodlands; sister Stacy Andries, DNP and Danny Andries of Pointblank; and sister-in law Karen Philpott of Nashville. Other surviving family members include five nieces, Britany Winfrey, Danielle McCabe, Alannah Jenkins, Demme Durrett, Lauren Hoffman; and favorite nephew Chance Andries. Also surviving him are numerous great nieces and great nephews.
Craig was preceded in death by his father Larry Randall Durrett; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Scott, and Mr. William Randall Durrett and Ms. Lulaweis Minter, father-in-law Emmett Wayne Philpott; mother-in-law Blye Elizabeth Webb Hunt and brother-in-law Laran Ray Philpott.
A Hawaiian Themed Celebration of Life honoring Craig Durrett is scheduled for 5:00 PM, Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Forest Park East Funeral Home 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX.
In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions may be made in Craig Durrett’s name to The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, https://tbotw.org or Starlight Outreach & Rescue, https://www.starlightoutreachandrescue.org
We are truly, truly saddened about the passing of such a kind and generous friend. We know his family and his friends are grieving and we pray that God will be with all of you during this time and help you in your time of need. His business was his life and his employees were his family. He was loved by all. His passion to help Bridge over Troubled Waters was commendable. His time was too short but he made a difference in this world and will be greatly missed. I will personally miss talking to him and sharing our stories about life and business.
For the entire Durrett Family, employees, friends, Maria and sweet Paula.
I am so very certain that there are no words of how this great Man will be missed.. I had the pleasure of working for Craig for more than four years. He taught me a great deal. He was a very strong personality and he also had a huge heart. Craig and Paula had one of those lifetime loves that do not come along very often. I grieve along with everyone else that he touched. He was a wonderful and caring person.
Craig rest in peace now and look down from up above over all that you loved, nurtured, mentored and most of all Paula….