Today we mourn the passing of Danie Durand: Father, husband, and craftsman.

Danie is a native South African. He was a farmer in his youth and continued working in landscaping throughout his life. Danie was also an accomplished welder and metal-worker, whose skills were in high demand by employers and in his personal business. He created beautiful works of functional art, ranging from cast iron benches to fences and awnings.

Family was very important in Danie’s life. He worked long and hard to provide for his wife and two children, never stopping until the end of his life. He regularly sacrificed and put off personal comforts for the sake of his loved ones. His work ethic and commitment to family is a true inspiration in an age where many marriages fail and many families fall apart.

Sometimes Danie would send me a Facebook message at night. I’d look at the clock, consider our time zone differences, and think he should really be sleeping. But, he would often be awake and reaching out to me or his daughter (my wife). I didn’t think the messaging was a big deal until the next day, when my wife would tell me how excited he was to have that contact with me. I worried he might have spilled the beans on some of our conversations; but, I never had to sleep on the couch so it must have been alright.

Danie will be missed by the family he leaves behind. We won’t forget him, or the impact he had, as we wait to be reunited in the resurrection.

Since his breath withdrew
Storms have mourned without ceasing
For my bride’s father

Distance that kept us apart,
Vanish at the great harvest