Joe B. Durrett (BSChE 57) may have a fairly common first name, but his life has been nothing less than extraordinary.
The University of Mississippi alumnus had a highly successful career in the oil and gas industry, and started a fuel export company after retirement. His business travels have permitted him to see much of the world. Yet the native of Aliceville, Alabama, has never forgotten the higher education institution where it all began.
Durrett was an original member of the Woods Order, a donor level within the UM Foundation named after Jess Woods, one of the School of Engineering’s most distinguished students. Now known as the Woods Society, the organization uses donor contributions to help fund scholarships, technical support, internships, professional society competitions, global experiences and leadership training opportunities.
“Jess was a friend and classmate for whom I had much respect,” Durrett said. “I continue to want to give to Ole Miss because the engineering program gives more than chemistry, calculus and technical skills. The overall program permits and encourages students to branch out and get a feel of life and to learn social skills.”
Durrett’s commitment and financial support to the School of Engineering are exemplary, said Kevin Gardner, development officer for the school.
“Joe has been a longtime supporter of Ole Miss,” Gardner said. “He always has the best interests and the future of the School of Engineering uppermost in his heart and mind. We are deeply grateful for his continued commitment to our students by supporting the Woods Society.”
Ironically, Durrett almost missed his opportunity to attend the university.
“Originally I had planned to attend Auburn, but as a recipient of a Navy ROTC scholarship and encouragement from my dad (who attended Alabama), I gave Ole Miss a try,” he said. “It became one of the pivotal and better decisions in my life.”
Although Durrett never visited campus before his arrival for classes in September 1953, he soon made another pivotal decision to enroll in the chemical engineering program.
“My decision to study chemical engineering was primarily based on encouragement from chemistry and math teachers in high school,” he said. “The interpersonal skills honed at Ole Miss, combined with the engineering knowledge gained there, were my keys to starting a business with nearly $1 billion in annual sales (using current petroleum product prices).”
Durrett said he realizes that his engineering degree was really a ticket to his first job after graduation. “That ticket gave me time to survive, mature and develop skills to fit my journey through life.”
The alumnus encouraged other family members to attend his alma mater. A brother graduated from the business school, a cousin completed pharmacy school, a nephew was the first All-American tennis player and a son earned his law degree, all at Ole Miss.
“I regret that I did not encourage all of my children to attend undergraduate school at Ole Miss,” Durrett said.
A third of his pivotal decisions was going to Houston, Texas for that first job. There, he met and married Carolyn Cox, his wife of 55 years. The couple has two sons, Brant and Charles, and a daughter, Marcy.
“My professional achievements pale in comparison to the pride I feel in my children’s success and their Christian lives,” Durrett said. “All have been and are successful in their families and careers, and have given us six grandchildren.”
One of his sons has continued to operate and has expanded the business Durrett founded.
“It is very rewarding to discuss with both of my sons different aspects of their businesses,” he said.
Durrett and his wife have traveled over much of the world and enjoy both competitive and social bridge. They also love to read and learn about new things in the world.
Again, Durrett is no “ordinary” Joe.
For information about becoming a Woods Society member, contact Kevin Gardner at 800-340-9542 or 662-915-7601 or email him.