Obituary

Gilbert Anthony “Tony” Durand

October 5, 1937 – June 20, 2026

Gilbert Anthony Durand, age 88 and of Bogalusa, LA, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026, at The Retreat at Covington, surrounded by family.

He was born on October 5, 1937, in New Orleans, LA, to Alton and Freida Durand of Eunice, LA. Tony grew up in Cajun country, enjoying hunting and fishing, and graduated from Southeast Louisiana Institute in Lafayette with a degree in Microbiology. After serving in the U.S. Army, he met the love of his life, Martha Ann (Rusty) Richardson, while both were working in Washington, D.C. They married on October 21, 1967, and lived in New York City before moving to Houston, TX, where they raised their two sons, Lee and Jim. Following the death of her parents, Tony and Rusty moved to her childhood home in Bogalusa, LA, where they spent the remainder of their lives surrounded by close friends and memorable adventures.

Tony and Rusty shared 55 years of marriage, traveling extensively and embracing life to the fullest. Their journeys took them to Europe, Russia, Asia, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and the Caribbean, creating many cherished memories with friends along the way. Among his favorites was a cruise aboard The Queen Mary II from England to New York City. Their life together was filled with love, laughter, dancing, travel, and adventure.

Tony was an excellent bridge player, but his greatest joy—aside from Rusty—was his daily golf games at The Bogalusa Country Club with an amazing group of friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rusty (April 2, 2023). He is survived by his children, Lee and Marion Durand of Austin, TX, and Jim and Jennifer Durand of Katy, TX, and his grandchildren, Cameron, Shari, and Chase Durand.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Nellie Byers School, 640 Avenue V, Bogalusa, LA 70427.

The family extends its sincere thanks to Colleen Mitchell, the staff of The Retreat at Covington, Passages Hospice, and all who provided compassionate support during his final days.