Isaac Joseph Duran

Isaac "Joseph” Duran of Farmersville, CA was born June 9, 1982. He passed November 9, 2023 in Bakersfield, CA. Isaac is survived by his mother Rachel Mendoza Garcia and his two sisters Monica Duran and Serena Duran as well as his nieces and nephew Sariah Luna, Aubrey Rodgers, and Grayson Rodgers. Isaac was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents Virginia "Vicky" Palomares Duran and Joe Duran, as well as Georgia and Tony Mendoza, his cousin Phillip Dominguez also known as "Silent", and his beloved father Timothy Duran. Isaac was known as Soldier boy. Growing up he was a little travieso as a kid but when it came to his family he had a tremendous amounts of love for them. He was the only one who could mess with them in the ways he did. Isaac enjoyed spending time with his family at the lake and enjoyed fishing with his dad Timmy. He loved his Mother Rachel tremendously and unconditionally. As a kid Isaac enjoyed playing sports and enjoyed watching them as well. Even as an adult he still loved them, football and basketball especially. Unfortunately he was a Raider fan lol. Until his passing he still enjoyed playing handball and basketball. If you’re from Farmersville you know hand ball is a "Farmas thing". Soldier boy spent majority of his life in the prison system. Before Isaac passed, he was serving a 123 year life sentence for something he did not do. An innocent man in that circumstance. Anyone in that situation would be mad at the world, but he took the time and still held his head high through it. He was going on 20 plus years in the prison system and during his time you may hear about how he loved to fight and throw body shots with his celly for fun. His facial expressions always looked angry, but who wouldn't right? Only a few got to see a side of him that no one really got to. He loved to joke around, share laughs, and socialize. Deep down Isaac had a soft spot for the ones he cherished most. He loved his family especially his little niece and nephew Aubrey and Grayson. In his lifetime he sought God. He knew scriptures and he would write them to his family. He had a heart of gold and like Tupac said it "No man alive has ever witnessed struggles I survived". We can apply that to Isaac’s situation. He's been through so much and spent a lot of time alone through his trials and tribulations. Life moves fast for us out here, and most of us are stuck in survival mode. We think to ourselves that our loved ones who are doing time are doing ok and that they’re safe behind the walls because they don’t tell us any different. It's just how life works, but tomorrow is not promised and we stay with a lot of guilt hoping and wishing we had more time with them, when we lose them. We’re on borrowed time. If Isaac can teach us anything it's to reach out to the forgotten, those family members serving time. Long or short sentences because we truly don’t know how their mental state is going, just like how life is rough for us out here, they’re on survival mode daily as well, regardless of what put them there. Like the Bible says about that shepherd who leaves his flock of 99 sheep to find that one "lost" one. Do not let Isaac go in vain. He has one of the strongest testimonies there is. Remember Isaac and let him be your reminder to show compassion for the imprisoned and forgotten. You'll be surprised by speaking life to someone who feels hopeless and what it would do for them. His father passed away two years ago November 19th. He missed his dad Timmy tremendously and we know he felt that loss strongly. Just like he did when he lost his cousin "Silent". If we can do anything for Isaac, it is to pray that he and his dad were saved and that he's rejoicing with his father through those pearly white gates. A scripture I would like to leave with you all is one Isaac highlighted Psalm 31:12-16 "I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery". I hope through Isaac’s life you are touched and inspired to reach out to the forgotten. This last scripture Soldier boy highlighted as well "you battled! Well done!” the apostle Paul testified that he had "fought the good fight" and looked forward to being welcomed by God. (Timothy 4:7-8)