Obituary of Samuel Joseph Duron

After a valiant battle with Covid 19, Samuel Joseph Duron, beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend, passed away on October 3, 2021. He was 46 years old.

Sam was born on April 9, 1975 in Phoenix, Arizona, the third of six children of Manuel and Patricia Duron. He was a bright, inquisitive child with a delightful sense of humor even then. When he was eight years old, his parents entered him into a coloring contest and he won 25 dollars. From that point on, he inspired others with his artistic talent, from high school art competitions to the beautiful recreations of Friberg and other artists as well as his own creations that grace the walls of his friends’ and families’ homes to this day. He also loved scouting and became an Eagle Scout at the age of 17.

Sam met Sunny Anderson in 1992, when they both had church youth activities at the same building on the same night. He watched her playing basketball and clearly never looked back. After Sam served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Church of Latter-day Saints, sharing his love of the Gospel, his smile, and his art with the people of Malaga Spain, he returned to Tucson, his family, and Sunny.

Sam and Sunny were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple on April 12, 1997. They loved and stood by each other through the joys and challenges of life for 24 years and welcomed four beautiful children, three sons and one daughter. 

First and foremost a loving and dedicated husband, father, son and brother, Sam also served others in many ways: He volunteered to help with the Tour de Tucson for almost 20 years, and served on the Mormon Battalion Committee. He served in numerous positions in the church including Elder’s Quorum Presidency, Scout Master, YM Counselor, Stake High Counselor, Stake Sunday School Counselor, Sunday School Teacher and his favorite, Nursery Leader - where he could enjoy play, snack, and nap time.

Sam never stopped learning and striving to entertain new skills and hobbies. Always working hard to provide for his family, he dedicated himself to study and earned a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University Idaho in April of 2019.  Later that same year, he completed the grueling 858 hour course to become an Arizona Peace Officer and joined the Tucson Police Force. He also worked at various other careers including Pool Chlor of Arizona and Costco Wholesale.

People who know Sam Duron will remember most fondly his infectious laugh and smile, his fierce loyalty to family and friends, and his loving service.

Sam was preceded in death on September 10, 2021 by his mother, Patricia Duron, and is survived by his beloved wife Sunny and their children Jacob, Michael, Daniel and Amber, his father Manuel, grandmother Gloria, three brothers (Manuel, Ramon, and Hyrum) and two sisters (Melanie and Elizabeth) and countless other family members and friends. 

Services will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021. A viewing will be held at 9:00 a.m. with the funeral services beginning at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fairmount Building at 6150 E. Fairmount St., Tucson, Arizona 85712. Graveside services will immediately follow at the Binghampton Cemetery, 4001 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to a Go Fund Me Account set up to help with medical bills and funeral expenses for Sam, and to support Sunny with the uncertainty of being a widow with four children.  https://gofund.me/2ae05fc3