Kenneth R. Durham Jr. is a native Texan from Tahoka, in Lynn County, where he graduated from high school in 1956. He received his training in history from Baylor University (1960), East Texas State Teachers' College (1963), and North Texas State University (1971). While at Baylor he met Jeanette Davis, and the two were married in 1961. After they both taught school in Brownfield, Texas, Ken came to LeTourneau in 1964. Ken and Jeanette have three married sons.

At LeTourneau, Ken teaches history and political science. His major field of interest is Southern History. His publications include: his M.A. thesis on Santa Anna, articles in the East Texas Historical Journal, Louisiana History, and he has entries in A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography, and the new Handbook of Texas.