Fred Durhal Jr., the father of current Detroit City Councilmember Fred Durhal III and a pillar of Michigan’s political and civic landscape, passed away on Nov. 19, 2025, at the age of 73. Known for his unwavering dedication to public service, his deep love for his community, and his tireless efforts to improve the lives of those around him, Durhal’s death leaves a void that will be felt across the state and beyond.
Durhal’s career was one marked by a deep commitment to Michigan’s working-class families, particularly in Detroit, where he spent much of his life advocating for the people who called the city home. He was born and raised in Detroit, and over the years, became a well-respected legislator, a mentor, a father, and a tireless public servant. His work in the Michigan House of Representatives spanned several decades, during which he earned a reputation for his integrity, compassion, and fierce advocacy for the marginalized.
As the Dean Emeritus of the Michigan House of Representatives, having served from 2008-2014, Durhal Jr. held several titles, including the Chair Emeritus of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus; former Chairman, Appropriations, General Government Sub Committee; former State Representative of the 9th, 5th, and 6th Districts of Detroit; former District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Rose Collins, 13th District of MI.; former Deputy Director of the Detroit Charter Revision Commission; former Program Manager for the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority; former Assistant to the Mayor of Detroit, Coleman A. Young; former Executive Director, Virginia Park Citizens District Council; and many other titles and positions in government and community service.
His son, Fred Durhal III, shared his grief on social media, writing a heartfelt tribute to his father. “Tonight (Nov. 19, 2025) I lost my best friend, my mentor, my Dad,” he wrote on Facebook. “I wouldn’t be completely honest at this moment if I didn’t say that a piece of me feels empty. However, I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention how blessed I was to have such an amazing human being that touched my life.”
Fred Durhal Jr. was more than just a father to his son—he was a mentor to many, a father figure to those who lacked one, and a steadfast friend to everyone who needed support. His life’s work was rooted in the values he passed down to his family and the community he cherished. Through his work as a legislator, Durhal was known for his ability to reach across party lines and find common ground, always putting the needs of the people ahead of personal ambition.
Durhal’s political career began in the 1980s when he was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where he served the 5th District in Detroit. His early years in office were focused on issues that directly impacted his constituents, such as improving education, addressing housing disparities, and increasing economic opportunities for Detroit’s working-class families. Durhal became known as an advocate for the city’s most vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and low-income residents.
Those who knew Durhal best remember a man who wasn’t just a legislator but a leader with a heart for the people.
“We stood on opposite sides of the ballot in 2010, 2012, and 2014, engaged in three unforgettable primaries. I knew—even then—that defeating an incumbent of his strength and stature would be an uphill battle. And yet I ran anyway. Not out of rivalry alone, but because facing him sharpened me, challenged me, and helped shape me.
“What I did not realize then was that these political battles were preparing me for the victory I would eventually earn in 2018. But by that time, Fred was no longer running. Illness had stepped in where politics once stood. Not long after, I visited him in the hospital. I expected a brief, polite exchange. Instead, what we shared were unexpected moments of honesty, warmth, and connection. In those quiet hospital hours, the walls between us softened. Titles faded. The years of competition felt small. And I saw him not as the man I was trying to beat—but as the man he truly was. That was the last time I saw him. But the memory stayed with me.”
In a 1995 article in the Michigan Chronicle, Durhal was quoted as saying, “Public service isn’t just about passing laws—it’s about making life better for the people we represent. It’s about lifting up the voices of those who have been silenced for too long.” This sentiment would define his career in the years that followed.
Durhal’s leadership went far beyond his legislative duties. He served on numerous community boards and organizations, always committed to improving the quality of life for Michiganders. He was also a key figure in Detroit’s efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and bring attention to the city’s economic challenges, particularly the disparity between the city’s wealthier and more impoverished communities. His work with local organizations helped to ensure that at-risk youth had access to educational resources, while also advocating for affordable housing for families struggling to make ends meet.
Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, who currently serves alongside Durhal III on Detroit’s city council, released a statement, sending condolences to the Durhal family.
“Throughout his decades of public service, from his tenure in the State House to his leadership as Chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, Rep. Durhal exemplified dedication, integrity, and courage in advancing the well-being of our city and its residents. [His] unwavering commitment to public service transformed countless lives. He fought for equity, opportunity, and justice, and his leadership inspired both colleagues and constituents alike. His vision and dedication strengthened our communities and helped pave the way for future generations of leaders,” Sheffield said.
“I extend my deepest condolences to my colleague, Councilmember Fred Durhal III, his family, and all whose lives were touched by Fred Jr.’s work. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the city of Detroit, and his enduring legacy will continue to inspire generations of Detroiters.”
Durhal’s impact on the political landscape was significant, but his greatest legacy may well be his devotion to his family. Durhal III, who has followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a politician, continued with his deeply personal message following his father’s passing.
“He was the greatest man I have ever known,” Durhal III wrote. “He was the greatest father in the world, and he poured so much of himself into me, even at times when he didn’t have much to give.”
Durhal’s death marks the end of an era for Michigan politics. As a father, legislator, and public servant, Fred Durhal Jr. touched the lives of countless individuals, both personally and professionally. He believed in the power of community, in the strength of the people, and in the possibility of a brighter future for all. As Fred Durhal III so poignantly wrote in his tribute: “Although he will not be here with me physically, I know for a fact he lives on through me and so many others.”
Durhal’s passing is a reminder of how rare it is to find a public servant who is as deeply committed to both his work and his family. He was a fighter, rarely complaining, and took each day as an opportunity to do more. Even in his final days, he fought with the same courage and tenacity that defined his life. “Dad, you were a fighter until the very end. You not only fought the good fight, you won so many times,” his son wrote. “They don’t make them like you.”
Fred Durhal Jr. leaves behind a legacy of service, compassion, and leadership that will endure for generations. He is survived by his children, his extended family, and countless friends and colleagues whose lives were made better by his example. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who ran against Durhal Jr. in Detroit’s 2013 mayoral race, shared: “Detroit lost one of its most tireless champions and dedicated public servants…. Fred Durhal, Jr., the father of City Councilmember Fred Durhal III, represented Detroit with a blend of fire and human compassion in the State House that earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of his constituents. During the city’s bankruptcy, no one fought harder than Rep. Durhal for Detroit’s retirees.”
As the people of Michigan mourn the loss of a great man, they are also reminded of the power of compassion, dedication, and the deep love for one’s community. Fred Durhal Jr. leaves behind a model of service that will inspire future generations of leaders. His work is far from done; it lives on in the values he instilled in his children, his colleagues, and the people of Michigan.
