Enrique Nogales Durón, age 80, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, February 26, 2023. He was born on July 9, 1942 in Douglas, Arizona and was the sixth of nine children to Mercedes (Nogales) and Cayetano Ramírez Durón.

Enrique grew up in Douglas and graduated from Douglas High School in 1961. After graduation, he served as an Aircraft Ground Equipment Repairman for the United States Air Force and was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois and in multiple bases in Colorado. While stationed at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, he provided support to U.S. and Canadian jets, piston engine aircraft, and VIP planes. Enrique was also stationed where the United States and Canada had their aircraft and support personnel for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). NORAD was located inside Cheyenne Mountain and served as the command and control center for the early warning system for the United States and Canada. At one point in his military career, Enrique monitored and maintained sensitive equipment including satellites that were being prepared to be launched into space.

On November 22, 1963, Enrique was on active duty and assisted in getting as many aircraft off the ground as possible when President and Commander-In-Chief John F. Kennedy was assassinated. After all the jets on the flight line became airborne, Enrique assisted in towing disabled aircraft into hangars to ensure they were out of sight in the event of an enemy attack. Enrique had to remain inside the hangars until the base was given the all-clear signal to allow the aircraft to land. Months after the assassination, Enrique provided maintenance to Air Force One when President Lyndon B. Johnson flew into Colorado Springs. While in the military, Enrique earned an Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR), and an Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award. Enrique rarely spoke about his tour in the United States Air Force but during the last few years, he began sharing his experiences and reminisced whenever he listened to music and watched videos.

Following his discharge from the United States Air Force, Enrique began working in the Douglas Reduction Works (Smelter) for the Phelps Dodge Corporation. In 1974 he married Petra Celaya and they were blessed with two children, Diana and Enrique "Junior." Upon retiring from the Phelps Dodge Corporation, he began working for the Arizona Department of Corrections in 1983 as a Corrections Officer. He was in one of the first groups of Corrections Officers hired when the prison opened in Douglas.

After his retirement from the Arizona Department of Corrections, he enjoyed spending his free time in his woodworking shop crafting numerous pieces. He also developed his computer and research skills and learned how to utilize technology with his woodworking projects. Enrique was a great husband and role model, a father figure to many, a loving son and brother, and was always committed to assisting others in need.

Enrique was preceded in death by his parents Mercedes and Cayetano and his siblings Rubén, Arturo, Benjamín, Delia, Adolfo, Raúl and Luis Durón. Enrique is survived by his loving wife of over 48 years, Petra C. Durón; daughter Diana E. Durón; son Enrique M. Durón; and sister Estella Durón Noriega. He was dearly loved by his many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Visitation and viewing will be from 3:00 - 6:00 pm on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Brown Page Mortuary with a Holy Rosary following at 6:00 pm. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Church with burial to follow with military honors at Calvary Cemetery in Douglas, Arizona.

Pallbearers are Enrique M. Durón, Fabián F. Celaya, Tony Durón, Reymundo Félix, Daniel Grijalva and Alejandro Noriega.