Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Monday afternoon, Lynell Durgan transitioned from earth to heaven at Christus St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles. He was a native of Lake Charles, and relocated from California 13 years ago. He is the son-in-law of the late Rev. and Mrs. Reuben H. Cornist of Mt. Hermon.

Lynell was born on Sunday, Nov. 11, 1951, in Mamou, to Gilbert and Joyce Helen Durgan. He was the fourth child of nine siblings. His family later relocated to Lake Charles and became a part of the Fisherville Community. He attended Carver Elementary School and W. O. Boston High School and graduated in 1972. Lynell moved to San Diego, Calif., where he attended ECC and Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, Calif. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

After completing his duty to his country, Lynell started his apprenticeship at the North Island Navy Base in Coronado, Calif. He was employed by the Department of Defense for the U.S. Navy at North Island Navy Base as a Sheet Metal Engineer, in Field Service for over 25 years.

He joined the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. D.J. Jones. After moving to San Diego, Lynell united with the Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. S.M. Lockridge, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher in the Junior Department, a member of the Brotherhood and the Sanctuary Choir. Lynell was a charter member of the United Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Milton Chambers. After preaching his first sermon, Lynell was licensed as a Minister. Lynell became an ordained Minister by the Southern Baptist Association and was the Co-Pastor of the Hopewell Baptist Church in San Diego. After relocation back to Lake Charles, Lynell become a member of New Jerusalem Ministries under the leadership of his nephew, the Rev. Donald Durgan Jr. After Hurricane Laura, the loss of his home and displacement, Lynell became a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Mt. Hermon under the leadership of the Rev. Kenneth Saulsberry.

Lynell met the love of his life, Carol Elaine Cornist, in San Diego, and they were united in holy matrimony on March 30, 1991, in Franklinton. God blessed this union for 30 years. To this union, they were blessed with two daughters, Autumn and Aaliyah.

Lynell leaves to cherish his life: a devoted wife, Carol Cornist Durgan; two loving daughters, Autumn NaKiyah Durgan of New Orleans, and Aaliyah Durgan (Caleb) Orphey of Killeen, Texas; one sister, Joann (Robert) Evans of Lake Charles; three brothers, Lee Morris (Retta) Durgan of Lake Charles, Ivory Wayne (Mary) Durgan of Dallas, Texas, and Bryan Keith Durgan of Temple, Texas; one aunt, Carrie Ashley of Victorville, Calif.; two uncles, the Rev. Mack C. (Hilda) Guillory of Lake Charles, and Daniel (Duffy) Guillory of Houston, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Royanna Durgan and Terri D. Durgan, both of Lake Charles; two godchildren, Angela (John) Carroll of San Diego, and Kendrick Morris of Miramar, Fla.; best friend/co-worker, Nathniel (Joyce) Dennis of Minden; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Joyce H. Durgan; four brothers, Donald Durgan Sr., Dandrew Durgan, Ronald G. Durgan and infant Troy A. Durgan; and both his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Services will be held at Fondel Memorial Chapel, located at 830 N. Lyons St. in Lake Charles. Viewing will be Thursday, May 13, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The memorial service will be from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. The burial service will be Friday, May 14, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located at 28040 Mt. Olive Road in Mt. Hermon. Viewing will be from 10 p.m. until noon, and the service will be from noon until 1 p.m.