Irvin

(5-2-17) An El Paso (Tx) Irvin High School girls track coach, Arcadio “Archie” Duran, 48 was among two people killed when a pickup truck, driven by Gary Lawson, 51, of Hobbs, New Mexico ran into a charter bus carrying El Paso Independent School District athletes and coaches back from a weekend regional track meet in Lubbock.

The bus was carrying students, coaches and trainers from seven high schools — El Paso, Chapin, Andress, Irvin, Jefferson, Burges and Austin.

The loss of a coach is traumatic for a school community, especially one that happens while he is doing his job. Duran was coming back with his athletes after a day of competing.  Long bus trips for Irvin student-athletes is the norm and includes a lot of time for bonding, this last trip for Coach Duran will be embedded and remembered by all involved for a very long time.

Arcadio Duran Jr. (Photo-Courtesy El Paso Independent School District)
(Photo-Courtesy El Paso Independent School District)

The Irvin HS marquee showed the feeling of the school community:

“Archie Duran will always be our teacher.”

Coach Duran is survived by his parents, Arcadio and Carmen Durán, wife, Maribel Durán, children Ariana, Maribel Lisset, and Arcadio Angel Durán, siblings Carlos, Laura, Eliza Beth, Juan, Maria, and Alex Durán.

Rita Minjares, athletic coordinator at Irvin told the El Paso Times:

“Archie had been back with us at Irvin for about five-plus years. He was a very good teacher, very positive. He had big dreams and was always talking about ways of returning Irvin to winning ways.”

Kenneth Owen, retired EPISD athletic director told the El Paso Times:

“This is just a sad time. He was doing what he loved to do — work with kids. I know he was a great dad and that he was so proud of his kids … We lost him way too young … way too young.”

EPISD Superintendent Juan Cabrera told the El Paso Times:

“It is times like these that we are all reminded that we are one family, all one community, all focused on taking care of kids.”

A Go Fund Me campaign has been set-up to help Coach Duran’s family with expenses from the accident: Coach Arcadio “Archie” Durán

Funeral arrangements: Visitation will be held Thursday, May 4th from 5pm – 9pm at Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Funeral Home, 8817 Dyer Street, with Vigil beginning at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, May 5th at 2pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 9025 Diana Drive.