C2C Nick Duran passed away on June 24th, 2021 as the result of a single engine plane crash. Nick was passionate in all aspects of his life. He worked ceaselessly towards earning his private pilot’s license and aspired above all to be an Air Force pilot.

Nick was an exceptional student, graduating from Cleburne High School in 2018 as one of the top ten students of his class. Nick received numerous academic recognitions and leadership awards.

Nick loved wearing uniforms, just like his police officer Dad. He began playing baseball at four years old and, as a youth, was selected to play on a USSSA All American Team. He embraced the opportunity to travel with Team TX to Italy to participate in a World Tournament. With his trademark determination, intense focus, perseverance, and faith, Nick continued to develop his skills at the TCS Post Grad Academy, and in 2019, was recruited to play catcher at his dream school, the United States Air Force Academy.

At USAFA, Nick was a proud member of Cadet Squadron 29, the Black Panthers. He completed the Soaring Program and flew solo in a glider. Nick was also head of the Aviation Club, focusing on providing flying opportunities to cadets interested in aviation.

As dedicated as Nick was to his dreams, he was more passionate towards his commitment to those around him, especially his family. He was described to be “the most positive cadet I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting”. Nick was a brother, exuding constant joy and bearing an infectious smile, eager to share his love with everyone around him. He cared for those around him in action and word, regardless of whether he knew them. He was a catcher for the Air Force Baseball Team where he impacted not just his friends, but every individual with whom he interacted.

To describe Nick as inspiring would be an understatement; Nick was one of the best. It was easy to see how much the underclassmen of CS-29 looked up to and respected Nick. He consistently checked in with cadets who were struggling and used what he learned during his time as a cadet to help others be their best. In the words of one of Nick’s former fourth class cadets, he “balanced discipline with kindness, leadership with humor, and high expectations for our class with a genuine desire for our well-being, and he did it all selflessly.” You will not be forgotten.

If Nick could share any parting words, surely they would have included his favorite Bible verse, Joshua 1:9:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Here’s a toast.

All proceeds from bracelet sales will go to a non-profit chosen by Nick's family.

Some notes from his friends:
“He was by far the most selfless person I’ve ever met here. He touched a lot of people.”

“Nick was the most passionate, selfless, and caring guy. He was obsessed with flying, and I mean obsessed. He could not go a single conversation without talking about flying. He taught me everything I know about planes. He would bring several people up with him in his plane just to share his passion of flying with them. Another thing nick loved was baseball. He was a catcher on the team and was a pretty damn good one. Nick truly loves his country. I have never met someone more patriotic than Nick. His journey and the Academy was not easy. Probably more difficult than most, but I never heard him be negative. Nick was one of my best friends in squad and at the Academy. I was truly privileged to know him for these last two years, go through basic with him, and develop such a beautiful friendship with him. Anyone who knows Nick says he was a fantastic person, leader, and warrior.”

“One of my last interactions with Nick was last week at a brief where he got up infront of everyone and talked about his love for training. He said the more he was on his face during basic the better. Everytime we got beat in basic this man was smiling from ear to ear. He saw the value of hard things and embraced them and encouraged everyone else to as well. He would do double the reps in order to help others who were falling behind.“

“He was a brother. Absolutely infectious in every way be it his ever positive attitude or his love for airmanship. He took me up and had me sitting left seat beating up the pattern for hours, just as excited as I was when I finally greased a landing. All he wanted was to share that love with everyone around him and see everyone succeed.”

“No words can describe how much Nick has impacted my life. We would workout in the stairwells together. Eat lunch together. Nick was the epitome of what the Academy stands for. He always had a smile on his face no matter the blows he was dealt. He was a warrior and a true American. He was my best friend.”

Bracelet details:

Line 1: C2C Nick R. Durán - USAFA 2023

Line 2: June 24th, 2021 - N9261L

Line 3: “One more roll”

Left image: Class of 2023 crest

Right image: CS-29 patch