DOB: 5-23-1937

DOD: 12-9-2020

Johnny Marvin Duerksen of Amarillo, Texas died after a lengthy illness at the age of 83 years.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Thelma (Bellah) Duerksen of Amarillo, Children: Jacqueline Thomason of Odessa, Tx; Sharon Veazey of Joplin Mo; Johnny Duerksen, Jr of Amarillo; Scotty Duerksen, of Redlands, Ca; and Benjamin Duerksen of Amarillo. He had 13 grandchildren: Amanda Waters of Fredonia, Az; April Riddle of Kanab, Ut; Danny Ector “D.J.” Holman of Page, Az; Amanda Ayars of Wilmington, De; Tyler Thomason of Albuquerque, NM; Grant Thomason of Lubbock, Tx; Stacey Lowery of St Louis, Mo.; Kyle Veazey of Kansas City, Mo; Hannah Barros, of Leander, Tx; Elizabeth Flowers of Amarillo; John Wesley Duerksen of Amarillo; Isaac Duerksen of Beaumont, Tx; Ethan William Duerksen of Amarillo. He had 16 greatgrandchildren.

He was also survived by his sister, Dorothy Branch and husband BJ Branch, of Lindsay, Ok and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, John Duerksen and Katherine Duerksen, his brother, Barnhart “Barney” Duerksen, and his sisters, Freida Hines, Rosella Cheshier, Cristina “Chris” Pridemore, and grandson, Jeffrey Byron Thomason.

Johnny was a faithful and loyal husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Growing up in Clinton, Oklahoma, he worked at Littke Feed Store and a turkey and chicken farm, in Clinton, Okla.

He moved to Amarillo in 1975 where he finished his career as a freezer specialist for Freezer Services.

He had many passions including riding horses in the parade, old western movies, impromptu food fights, helping others in need, and caring for his dogs. That passion for his dogs earned him the name “Leader of the Pack” from one of his sons-in-law.