PUBLISHED IN THE AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, JUNE 3, 2012:

James C. Durkel Jim Durkel, 56, beloved partner, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend, died May 28, 2012 of complications from multiple myeloma. He is survived by his partner of 29 years, Stephen Finn; six brothers and sisters, Andrew, Jeff, Kathy, Ken, Pat Durkel, and Molly Tanner; eight nieces; six nephews; goddaughter Tessa Condon; dear friends Ray Condon and Dale Rudin; Filippo Aschieri and Francesca Fantini--his "family" in Milan, Italy; and three dogs, three horses, four cats, and one cockatiel.

Jim was born May 13, 1956, in Gary, Indiana, the fourth of seven children of Carl and Theresa Durkel. He enrolled in Purdue University, majoring first in pre-veterinary science, then in agriculture, and finally obtaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in speech pathology and audiology. He was ABD in Communications Disorders from the University of Texas and a certified teacher for the visually impaired. This eclectic mix of studies reflected many of his lifelong interests. He was an animal lover who could charm any four-legged creature - only Jim could pet the feral cats who took up residence in Jim and Steve's barn. He was an avid gardener and cook. While in college, he grew cucumbers and sold them to the local pickle factory. Just weeks before his death he planted a particular Italian variety of tomato, so that when his friends Filippo and Francesca visited in June he could serve them the fresh tomatoes they love. He found his vocation in serving children with sensory deficits, working for more than 20 years in the outreach program at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He felt a deep sense of responsibility about his work.

In spite of significant health issues over the last year, he refused to retire. He told his loved ones he didn't feel finished; he wanted to be sure to have everything in perfect order for whoever might take over his job. Jim was brilliant, charming and handsome, with a dazzling smile, a sly sense of humor, and a knack for putting people - and animals - at ease. A true Renaissance man, he read everything and served as a human encyclopedia for his friends and coworkers. He had an amazing strength of will, sometimes characterized by his loved ones as stubbornness. He was a long-term HIV survivor and, as with all of his other endeavors, he faced that challenge with determination and grace.

Jim and his partner Steve met in Minneapolis in 1982, and Jim left a job he loved to come to Austin with Steve in 1984 so Steve could take a faculty position at the University of Texas. They were married in 1991 under the care of the Friends Meeting of Austin, an occasion of great joy attended by over 200 people. In 2001 they moved 30 miles east to Elgin because there was no room for horses in their Austin back yard. No matter where they lived, Jim turned every yard into a vibrant, welcoming garden. Above all else, Jim had a gift for making things grow, whether it was plants, pets, people, or his own heart and intellect. He will be deeply and enduringly missed. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Jim's family wishes to thank Dr. Jason Melear and the staff at Texas Oncology and the ICU staff at Seton Hospital for their wonderful care of Jim. Please send contributions to the Jim Durkel Memorial Fund at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1100 West 45th Street, Austin, 78756 or to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA, 91607-3421.

This information was obtained from: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?pid=157893807.