James Duran of Tularosa passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026. He was born as Santiago Rodriguez to Francisca Guilez and Santiago Rodriguez Sr. in Tularosa, New Mexico, on December 2, 1925. James was adopted and lovingly raised by Rejina Valdez Duran and later changed his name to James Duran. His childhood was spent on ranches in Three Rivers and in the Tularosa area, with a brief period living in Roswell.

Throughout his lifetime, James held a variety of jobs, beginning at an early age to help support his family. He worked on farms around Tularosa, served as a delivery driver, picked cotton, worked at the railroad tie treatment plant, and at the Standard filling station. He often took on odd jobs and chores, doing “this and that,” before embarking on a long career with Tularosa Elementary School, starting in 1957 as a custodian and maintenance worker. James dedicated 34 years to the school until his retirement.

James enjoyed fishing at Bonito Lake, camping at Three Rivers, following the Pony Express races in White Oaks, and camping in Lincoln during Billy the Kid Days. He was a devoted member of St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church in Tularosa and frequently volunteered his time to support maintenance and repairs at the church. Known for his compassion toward animals, James was a great friend to them, always ready to feed or care for sick, injured, or stray animals. He cherished conversations with the “old timers” and loved to share a good joke.

James is preceded in death by his birth parents, Francisca Guilez and Santiago Rodriguez Sr.; his adoptive mother, Rejina Valdez Duran; his first wife, Elena Brusuelas; his second wife, Joann Gruger; his sister, Guadalupe Gallegos; his brother, Manuel Rodriguez; his niece, Angelina (Albert) Gallegos Martinez; his granddaughter, Patricia (Don) Catalano.

He is survived by his son, Michael (Jennifer) Gruger of Tularosa; his daaughter, Margarita McInnis; his niece, Christina Gallegos of El Paso; granddaughters, Janice (Doug) Trepagnier and Debbie (Mike) Brock of Louisiana; granddaughters, Sage (Jonathan) Butts of Abu Dhabi and Reed (Spencer) Mason of Oregon. His extended family and friends in Tularosa include the Guilez, Brusuelas, and Valdez Duran families as well as the Gutierrez and Gruger families. His longstanding relationship with the Portillo family holds special significance.

Services for James Duran will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church in Tularosa, NM. Visitation will be held at 9:30 am. Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am with Mass celebrated at 10:30 am.

Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Frank J.R. Portillo, Cody Portillo, RJ Portillo, Jimmy Sainz (godson), and Ray Ramos. Honorary pallbearers are Frank M. Portillo (godson), Albert Chavez, Irvin Valdez and Joe Guilez.

The family of James has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.