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Submitted: 4/15/18 • Approved: 4/15/18 • Last Updated: 2/23/22 • R812574-G0-S3
Dec 4, 1935
Jul 12, 2016
E. Earl Durnell, 80 of Cabool, MO passed away on July 12, 2016. He was the last surviving member of his parent’s family. He was born on December 4, 1935 the youngest child of Trevor and Verbal Durnell. Earl’s siblings were Amo, Fred, Grover, Maderine, Maxine and his twin sister Pearl.
He spent his life as a rancher, logger, dairyman, cattleman, farmer, patriot and farmer’s advocate. His love of the land and livestock and his responsibility as their steward shaped nearly every day of his life. Earl is a third generation farmer. His great grandparents began farming in Cabool on an 80 acre homestead. His parents raised him on a nearby farm, and after Earl married Emily, the love of his life, in 1974, he bought both farms and additional land for a total of 534 acres. Earl then worked this land into a farm of over 1600 acres in 3 counties, including three Missouri Century farms.
Earl was educated for 8 years in the Ozark County School District, and graduated from the Cabool School in 1954. He then attended Missouri State College for two years, where he deepened his passion of Economics, History, and Mathematics.
Earl was a columnist for the Springfield newspaper for several years and having strong political views, ran for Congress as a farmer’s advocate.
He and Emily were avid square dancers for several years and were featured in Smithsonian Magazine.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Emily Gaye (Spencer) Johnson; his son, Philip Durnell; daughters, Theresa Wood and Cheryl; three step children, Kathleen Woelfersheim, Connie Colton, Daniel Johnson and many grandchildren. [www.egcfuneralhome.com]
Contributed on 4/15/18 by mjrwag
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Record #: 812574