Current Master
Biosketch – Master James E. “Jim” Duryee, FDD, PGK, PFN [3413; 2367] & Lady Joan
Jim was born and raised in Southern California where he attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School for eight years, and Bishop Amat Memorial High School where he was active in football, wrestling and track. After high school, Jim attended the local community college before enlisting in the Coast Guard, where he served for 22 years. Jim came up through the enlisted ranks, attaining the rank of E-8, and then accepted a commission as a Warrant Officer, retiring at the rank of CWO3. After his retirement from active duty, he went on to work for a small start-up company of three individuals, and after twenty years, retired as Director of Operations for a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
Jim married his wife, Joan Duryee, nee Stathis, forty-five years ago. Joan received her Master of Education from Loyola College and retired from the Anne Arundel County Public School System as a Middle School Guidance Counselor. They are both parishioners of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Severna Park . Together they have traveled from coast to coast and have raised two fine children. Both children are married and have two children each of their own. Needless to say, Jim is a Proud Pops!
Since joining the Knights of Columbus, Jim has held the positions of District Deputy, Grand Knight (3 times), and Faithful Navigator among the various council and assembly offices. He has also served as the Memorial Mass and Founders Day Chairman under three State Deputies. In the Fourth Degree, Jim has been an active member of the Color Corps, being Color Corps Commander under four Navigators and served as Flag Team District Marshal for the Maryland District. Jim has also assisted the Provincial Marshal of Calvert Province in numerous Provincial events. He has coordinated members of the Maryland District to assist in exemplifications within the Calvert Province where the district(s) did not have sufficient Color Corps members for various reasons.
Jim’s interests in the Knights of Columbus are quite strong as he believes in their mission. Jim’s life and career have been about service and leadership to God, Family, and country, putting the needs of others before his own.
Master Jim Duryee assumed responsibility for the Maryland District Fourth Degree on 2 September 2022.