Edward Lee Duren, Jr. was born April 4, 1946 in Winston- Salem, North Carolina.  He was the oldest son born to the late Edward Lee Duren Sr. and Emma Sue (Thompson) Duren. He is preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Leon Duren.

Edward graduated from Atkins High School where he excelled not only in academics but also lettered in football and track.  In 2014, he was inducted into the Atkins High School Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in both football and track.

Edward was recruited in 1964 by the University of Minnesota to play football as part of their defensive line. He was proud to be a part of the 1967 Big Ten Championship team.  His claim to Gopher football fame is a 95 yard interception returned for a touchdown vs. Iowa game in October of 1966.  It remains as the second longest interception returned for a touchdown in Gopher history.  Edward received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota.

While in Minnesota, Edward was a dedicated member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. There he served on the Deacon Board and sang in the Sanctuary Choir.

Edward was well known in the Twin Cities non-profit community.  For many years he worked for CURA (Center for Urban and Regional Affairs) as part of the University of Minnesota, where he developed many community based programs. He held various positions at non- profit organizations such as The W. Harry Davis Foundation, The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, the St. Paul Urban League and many others.

Edward received a Bush Fellowship in 1986. He used the fellowship to attend Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government where he received a Master's degree in Public Administration in 1988.

While in Winston-Salem, Edward was a faithful member of Hanes Memorial CME Church. He was not always able to attend but found ways to contribute to his church home.

Edward passed away on September 26, 2018. He is survived by two sons, Michael Edward (Janice) and Christopher Bernard; one daughter, Ayanna Emma Elizabeth (Nicholas); the mother of his three children and wife of 30 years, Doctor Emma Buffington Duren; two grandsons, Malcolm and Marcus Hagness-Duren, all of St. Paul, MN; one sister-in-law, Bishop Delores Neal Duren of High Point, NC; one niece, Emelia Duren and her three children of Charlotte, NC; special friends Reverend Jack and Mrs. Lorraine Brown and Ms. Gail Bradshaw.

A Homegoing celebration will be held at 11:00am Friday, October 5, 2018 at Hanes Memorial CME Church, 819 N. Highland Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 10:00am until 11:00am on Friday at the Church.