URBANNA—Wyatt B. Durrette Jr. died at his Urbanna home on September 30, 2025.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wyatt Beazley Durrette and Beulah Showker Durrette; his sister, Faye Durrette Parson; and former wife, Cheryn Coller Durrette.
Wyatt is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Dr. Monica Durrette; children, Debbie Williams (Tom); Dawn Fuller (Vance); Dea Hamilton (Jon); Wyatt Durrette III; Brandon Durrette (Meredith); Shannon Durrette; Zachery Durrette; Joshua Durrette; cherished stepdaughter, Sarah Harvey (Ben Roberts); 17 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
Wyatt graduated from Franklin High School where he was an accomplished star athlete, but best described as a mediocre student, much to his mother’s dismay. He attended Virginia Military Institute, was elected president of the class of 1961, was a member of several school sports teams and graduated in 1961 with a bachelor’s in mathematics. He earned his law degree at Washington and Lee University; was president of, and first in his class; chaired the Moot Court and was editor of the Law Review. His mother, Beulah Durrette, was thrilled and deservedly proud. He became enamored of political science, in which he earned a master’s at John’s Hopkins.
After serving in the US Air Force as a JAG officer, he began practicing law in Fairfax. Wyatt represented Fairfax County in the House of Delegates for three terms. He ran as the Republican candidate for attorney general in 1981 and for governor in 1985, both against Democratic candidate, Gerald Baliles. Wyatt lost both state-wide races and conceded those losses timely with his characteristic grace and integrity.
Wyatt was undoubtedly an accomplished, intellectually brilliant man. But above all, he was a casual, kind man with simple tastes and an unwavering devotion to his family. He treasured his children and stepdaughter and never missed a child’s sporting or school event. He was far more comfortable in jeans and t-shirts than suits and ties; he doused filet mignon and eggs with ketchup; he doted on his little dog, Giggs; was a loyal Commanders fan from way back; and became an avid Parrot Head after attending his first Jimmy Buffet concert with daughter, Dawn. Attending Buffet concerts with children and grandchildren became a treasured Durrette family tradition.
Wyatt and his wife, Dr. Monica Durrette, lived in Chesterfield County beginning in 1992 and kept a ramshackle summer home in Deltaville. In 2014, they moved to Urbanna, where they were welcomed with the open, generous hearts of the people characteristic of their adopted hometown.
If Wyatt could say a final farewell, he would repeat a quote from his brother rat, Jonathan Daniels: “I wish for all of you the joy of a purposeful life.” Wyatt, you are deeply missed.
A “Good Good-Bye” for Wyatt will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 18, on the grounds of Hewick, an historic home at 5123 Old Virginia Street, Urbanna, Virginia 23175.
