Kelly Owen Duren

In Loving Memory of Kelly Owen Duren

Our hearts are broken as we share that Kelly Owen Duren, age 51, of Mansfield, Texas, passed away after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma on November 4, 2025. Kelly was born on May 15, 1974, in Paris, Texas, to Donn and Gerri Duren.

Kelly graduated from Mansfield High School in 1992 and went on to graduate from Southwest Texas State University in 1996 with a degree in Finance.

For the past ten years, Kelly worked as a Field Service Technician for Stryker Medical, serving East Texas. He took great pride in his work and was loved by everyone who met him, including his co-workers, customers and friends. His contagious smile and kind heart made every day better for those lucky enough to know him.

Kelly grew up playing basketball and never lost his love for the game. He later played on the men’s league at First United Methodist Church in Mansfield. He also loved playing golf and had a special gift of teaching others how to improve their game.

Kelly met the love of his life, Sheri, in 2010 and they were married on October 1, 2012 on Coronado Island, CA.  Their marriage was built on love, faith, and friendship.  Sheri will treasure their love forever.

Kelly had a deep love for the Lord and shared his faith with everyone that he knew or met. He and his wife, Sheri, were baptized together on November 6, 2022. They were active members and volunteers at Life Fellowship Church in Athens, Texas, where they found joy in serving others and building lasting friendships. When they moved back to Mansfield in April 2025, they carried that same spirit of love and faith with them.

Kelly had a heart full of love for his family and his dogs, who were his constant companions over the years. He adored his wife, Sheri, and was a devoted stepfather to Katelin (Patrick) Murray, Kelsea (Stephen) Sheridan, Rylee Stelter, and Will Stelter. He loved each one like they were his own. He cherished his grandchildren, Camryn Murray and Brooks Owen Sheridan, who was lovingly named in his honor, a reflection of how much he was loved by his family.

He is also survived by his loving parents, Donn and Gerri Duren; sister Stasia (Gary) Montana; brother Lance (Sharon) Duren; nieces Brooke (Donovan) Williams and Katie Montana; and nephews Kyle (Autumn) Montana, Chris (Destanie) Montana, Trent Wilson, and Trevor (Chelsea) Wilson, along with numerous other extended family members. Kelly was preceded in death by his grandparents, Owen and Myrtle Duren and Kelly (Calvin) and Irene Schuler. Kelly was lovingly named after both of his grandfathers.

A memorial service to celebrate Kelly’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Mansfield, Texas on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center at MDAnderson.org/Gifts or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org, in Kelly’s memory. Kelly always mentioned the St. Jude’s commercials that showed children with glioblastoma and how they never had a chance, and he always wanted to continue fighting to find a cure for others.

Kelly will forever be remembered for his faith, his contagious smile and the compassion and light he brought into the lives of those around him. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all who loved him.