In Memoriam:
Elder G. Homer Durham,
An Educated Man

February 4, 1911–January 10, 1985

Elder G. Homer Durham

Elder G. Homer Durham, a member of the presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, died shortly before midnight January 10, 1985, after suffering a heart attack. A renowned educator, author, and historian, Elder Durham believed in education—education that involved family and social life as well as work. He once said, “Our theology assumes that everyone should be educated to the optimum of their capacity. The word ‘educate’ is here meant broadly, to include all the means available in the world’s cultures, formal or informal.”

Things that are lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report dominated Elder Durham’s life. He was born in Parowan, Utah, to George Henry and Mary Ellen Marsden Durham. When Elder Durham was two, the family moved to Boston, where his father, a highly respected vocalist and composer, studied. Although Elder Durham did not follow his father’s footsteps to a musical career, he was an accomplished musician and helped support himself during his undergraduate years by playing trumpet and piano in small dance bands.

While serving a mission in Britain, Elder Durham made two decisions that affected the rest of his life. During a visit with the Apostle Joseph F. Merrill the young missionary was told, “You must go get a Ph.D.”

Elder Durham answered, “Do you think I could really qualify?”

Elder Merrill answered, “No question about it.”

Elder Durham not only earned his Ph.D., he had a distinguished career in education. He was Utah’s first commissioner and executive officer of the Utah System of Higher Education, president of Arizona State University, and academic vice-president of the University of Utah.

The other meaningful event that took place on his mission was meeting the young daughter of Elder John A. Widtsoe, then president of the European Mission. After his mission, Elder Durham married Eudora Widtsoe, and they had two daughters, Carolyn and Doralee, and a son, George.

In April 1977, Elder Durham became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He became a member of the presidency of the quorum in October 1981.

He has written books about three Church presidents and numerous lesson manuals. For 24 years he was contributing editor to the Improvement Era, forerunner of the Ensign magazine. In one article called “If I Were You,” addressed to young men, Elder Durham concluded by saying, “If I were you, I would try always to remember with the scripture, that ‘… life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment’ (Luke 12:23. Italics added.) With your faith and your education cultivate music, literature, art, things ‘lovely and of good report’ in your home. … I would strive to make my home, modest though it may be, a temple of beauty, culture, education, and religious faith, a true outpost of the kingdom of God” (Improvement Era, Nov. 1963, p. 995).