LT Paul Brian Bull Durham, 41, of Bluff City, gained his angel wings on Thursday, August 2, 2018, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Bull” was born in Johnson City, Tenn., to William Durham, of Bluff City, and the late Joyce Ann Sams Durham. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Claude and Iva Sams, and his paternal grandparents, Paul and Anne Durham.
Bull was a loving and devoted husband, stepfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend and was loved by everyone that knew him. He was currently serving as a Lieutenant for the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, and a chief engineer at Sullivan County East Volunteer Fire Department in Bluff City and was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.). Bull was a member of Bluff City United Methodist Church and enjoyed riding motorcycles and woodworking. His greatest joy, however, was spending time with his family and friends.
Those left to cherish his memories include his father, Bill Bull Durham, of Bluff City; his loving wife of two years, Hope Durham, of the home; a brother, Allen Durham and wife Paula, of Bluff City; two nephews, Matthew Durham and Joshua Moose Durham, both of Bluff City; three stepchildren, Whitney Haggard, of Arizona, and Coledon and Magnolia Miller, both of the home; an aunt, Doris Hayes and husband Lonnie, of Fall Branch; and his special friends, Amanda and Mike Little, Sean and April Broyles, Chad and Mattie Peters, Carl and Lisa Conte, Matt Harkleroad, Jeff and Amie Markland, Josh “Hoppy” Hopkins, Anthony Roberts, Terry Moore, Larry Vaughn and Tina Kesterson. Numerous additional special friends and honored officers also survive.
The family will receive friends from 1 until 4 p.m. and 5 until 8 p.m. Monday, August 6, in the funeral home chapel. A service to honor the life of LT Paul Brian “Bull” Durham will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 7, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Dewayne Sabisch and Rev. Rusty Verran officiating. The graveside service will follow in the Morning View Cemetery in Bluff City. Active pallbearers will be Jeff Markland, Josh “Hoppy” Hopkins, J.B. Simerly, Chad Peters, Gage Broyles, Mark Carrier, Kip Charlton, Doug Bowers and Hal Adair. Honorary pallbearers will be Smith Brothers Harley-Davidson, Justin Covington, Sullivan County East Volunteer Fire Department, Carter County Sheriff’s Department past and present employees, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee Constables, Elizabethton Police Department past and present employees, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the Carter County Rescue Squad past and present employees. The family would like to thank the following people for the love and support shown to Bull and his family: all law enforcement personnel, everyone at the Sheriff’s Department, the doctors and nurses at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, especially Dr. Henson and Dr. Hernandez, the Cardiovascular Critical Care ICU Unit, the Elizabethton Sheriff’s Department, the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, the Elizabethton Police Department, the Carter County EMS, TWRA, Tennessee Constables and Mark Carrier. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Officer Down Memorial Fund (www.odmp.org) or to Sullivan County East Fire Department, 3287 Weaver Pike, Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Durham and his family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.