Frederick Lloyd Durston

Frederick Lloyd (Fred) Durston, 76, went to be with the Lord on October 18, following a more than 2-year battle with liver disease. His beloved wife, BJ, was by his side to the end.

Jesus was Fred’s first love, and it was his lifelong goal to serve Him, and he did so during his 45-year career at the Billy Graham Evangelistic  Association. Fred, BJ, and their sons lived in many different cities around the world in their time with BGEA.

Born in Kingston, Ontario on June 13, 1945, to Elmer and Jennie Durston, Fred moved at the age of two to Dauphin, Manitoba, where he lived with three generations of Durstons on the family’s farm. The oldest of four, Fred attended Winnipeg Bible College, where he met a fellow student Elizabeth Jean (BJ) Chapman. From the moment they met, the two only had eyes for each other.

Fred and BJ took part-time jobs preparing for a Billy Graham Crusade in Winnipeg in 1967. Later that year they married and settled into secular jobs.  Three years later they received a call inviting them to help with a crusade in Oakland, California. That invitation led to a life on the road preparing for Mr. Graham’s crusades.

Fred’s career highlights included a brief 2-year detour to Boone, North Carolina, (1980) where he worked with Samaritan’s Purse, before returning to crusade work with BGEA. In 1984 they took up residence in Minneapolis where Fred gave direction to the BGEA Field Ministry Office. They moved to the Carolinas in 2002 when BGEA relocated to Charlotte, NC.   Fred continued to work on conferences and My Hope outreaches in many countries including Malawi, Zambia, the Philippines, Estonia, Haiti, and virtually every country in South America.

After he retired in 2015, Fred continued to serve, spending his time volunteering for various organizations including the York County Coroner’s Care Team, the Palmetto Pregnancy Center and was an elder at Manchester Creek Community Church, Rock Hill, SC.

Fred’s greatest love later in life was spending time with his 13  grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He and BJ prayed for them daily, naming each one individually, until the day he died.

Fred was known for his infectious laugh and way with people. Known to talk to anyone, he never met a person who wasn’t his friend. He always saw the best in people and always loved to share his stories.

In addition to BJ, Fred is survived by his sons, Todd (Ellen) and their children Zoe, Margot, Freddie, and Finn; Lee (Krissy) and children Samone, Salina (Jason), Aleia, Woodson, Traig, Rikelor, Storie, Mattson, and Toug; great grandchildren Linken and Chandler; brother, David (Merle); sisters, Brenda (Randy) and Myra; many beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law; 16 nieces and nephews; and dozens of dear friends around the world. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Bruce and Ben; sister-in-law, Geraldine; nephew, Bob; and nieces, Bonnie and Krista.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. November 13 at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association headquarters, Charlotte, NC.

Palmetto Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.

Memorial donations in Fred’s name may be made to either BGEA,

1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 or Samaritan’s Purse,

P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.