George Geoffrey "Jeff" Durkota, 89, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home. He was born in Pittsburgh ,PA.

Jeff was preceded in death by his wife, Doris (Dittman) Durkota, in 2001.

A WWII Veteran with the US Army, he was stationed in Italy with the 10 ^th Mountain Division as a Ski Trooper.

Jeff graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1948. An All American running back for the undefeated 1947 Cotton Bowl team, Jeff was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL and the Buffalo Bills of the All American Conference.   He then played one season for the Los Angeles Dons.

He was a member of the Lancaster Liederkranz and enjoyed traveling to Germany, Switzerland and other areas of Europe and would often travel to the annual Oktoberfest.

An automobile enthusiast, he was in the auto business his entire life. Jeff was Chairman of Brubaker Chrysler Jeep up until his death. He was a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association, Antique Car Club in Hershey, the Pennsylvania Automobile Association, the Hamilton Club of Lancaster and the Commercial Travelers Association of Lancaster.

Surviving a son, Bill Durkota, husband of Linda, of Lancaster, two daughters, Georgia Durkota, of Beverly Hills, CA, Carole "Barrett" wife of Robert A. Brandt, Jr., of Lancaster, six grandchildren, Robert A. Brandt III, husband of Kathryn, of Lancaster, Geoff Brandt, husband of Melissa, of Salt Lake City, UT, Erica, Christian, Marie, and Lindsey Durkota, all of Lancaster, three great grandchildren, Robert A. IV and Emiline G. Brandt, and Elliott R. Brandt. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Henry C. Brandt.

A Gathering to Celebrate Jeff's Life will be held in the Chapel at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike on Monday, March 11, 2013 from 7-9PM. A private Graveside Service will be in Landis Valley Mennonite Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jeff's memory to the Lancaster Liederkranz c/o Scholarship Fund 722 S. Chiques Rd  Manheim, PA 17545 or to Hospice & Community Care 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100.