Died June 28, 1939 – February 2, 2013,Memphis, TN
College: Davenport
Graduate School: University of Tennessee, J.D., Law, 1963
Widow: Ms. Lillian Durand
805 Harbor Isle Circle West
Memphis, TN 38103-0826
901-526-1096
901-619-2889 (mobile)
durandk@thomasonlaw.com
durandphotos.com
Children: Kemper B. Jr., 1968; Jennings, 1972
Grandchildren: Declan Durand, 1999; Bennett Durand, 2000; Anya Durand, 2004; Kennedy Durand, 2006; Monroe Durand, 2005; Greta Durand, 2008
Kemper Bartlett Durand, 73, died Saturday in a chair by the fire. His death was typical of his life: quiet, unassuming, and tidy. Our community has lost a true gentleman. Kemper was a modern scholar with a diverse range of interests and expertise. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle; an exemplary lawyer; a noted art photographer; a theatre and jazz drummer; a world traveler; a mountaineer; and a cherished friend. Beyond the accolades, awards and approbation, Kemper is best remembered for his gentle manners with everyone he met. He was not a pillar of the community, as some are described — he was the glue that holds a community together without being obvious. His ability to connect with anyone in a sincere and warm directness set him apart. Everyone who knew him understood he would always be there in a time of need with a hug, his quiet presence or wise counsel. In a last act of giving, Kemper donated his body to the Genesis Donor Program for the benefit of medical research. Kemper’s family requests that those who knew him take a moment to spread some kindness in the community.
Published in The Commercial Appeal on February 5, 2013
Memphian Kemper Durand: Attorney, artist, musician
By Michael Lollar
Monday, February 4, 2013
One of his law partners called Kemper Bartlett Durand a Renaissance man.
He had been a track star and a member of the rowing crew at Yale University. He became an assistant U.S. attorney in Memphis, as well as a private attorney, a jazz drummer, a photographer and, occasionally, a mountain climber.
Mr. Durand, 73, was recovering from the flu and bronchitis when he died suddenly Saturday afternoon. One of his sons, Bartlett Durand, wrote in an obituary that his father died in a chair by the fireplace at home. “His death was typical of his life – quiet, unassuming and tidy.”
Law partner Al Harvey said Mr. Durand had spent two years as a law clerk in federal court before joining the U.S. Attorney’s office as an assistant prosecutor. “He was a real expert on federal criminal procedure and the federal sentencing laws.”
In 2000, Mr. Durand, whose work was usually behind the scenes, became the subject of the news when a gunman captured him Downtown and forced him into the trunk of his 1992 Mercedes.
The gunman and two accomplices tried to force Mr. Durand to use his ATM card at a convenience store. When an armed housing authority officer walked in, Mr. Durand yelled for help, and the suspects fled only to be captured later.
“After it was all over I used to laugh about it,” said Harvey, who described Mr. Durand as “super smart. It was almost like ‘Ransom of Red Chief.’ Those guys had no idea what they had,” said Harvey in reference to a short story by O. Henry.
Harvey said Mr. Durand argued for leniency for two of the men, one of them a 12-year-old. He later said he just didn’t want to “wallow in” the fear he faced being held by an armed kidnapper. In fact, he suggested an advertisement for Commercial Bank & Trust, owned by a friend. In it, Mr. Durand sat on the trunk of his Mercedes with the caption: “Why Does Kemper Durand Bank With Us? Because this prominent attorney thinks it’s better than having his assets stuffed in the trunk of a car.”
It was a sense of humor that Harvey describes as wry. “His take on things was always a little out of the box. He was always able to turn a difficult situation with some humor into something acceptable. He was known for it.”
Mr. Durand also was known for his talents in music and photography. He received his law degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and was a percussionist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He often worked with local theater groups as a jazz drummer.
His photography was shown at Jay Etkin Gallery. “He was a sensitive photographer, a passionate photographer and a world traveler, and he used his travels as opportunities to capture the moment. His photographs always made you look at the world a little differently,” said Etkin, who has two of Mr. Durand’s photographs hanging in his bedroom.
Bartlett Durand said his father also enjoyed mountain climbing, “not like the Alps, but often in the Rockies.”
But, he said, “He is best remembered for his gentle manners with everyone he met. He was not a pillar of the community as some are described. He was the glue that holds a community together without being obvious.”
Mr. Durand also leaves another son, Jennings Durand of Philadelphia, and two brothers, Randy Durand of Aspen, Colo., and Lee Durand of Knoxville. Bartlett Durand, of Middleton, Wis., said his father donated his body to science. A memorial will be scheduled in March.
In lieu of other tributes, his son said, “Kemper’s family requests that those who knew him take a moment to spread some kindness in the community.”
Memphian Kemper Durand: Attorney, artist, musician
By Michael Lollar