James Neil Curry

Jim Curry was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri on September 4, 1930 to William Holmes and Katherine M. Light Curry. With older sisters Mary and Jane, and an older brother William Jr, Jim was the 4th of eight children, joined later by younger brothers Pat, John and David and younger sister Susan. He graduated from Fort Smith H.S. in 1948. He began attending West Ark Junior College in Fort Smith Arkansas but left to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1950. He served in Korea, Japan and Germany as a combat infantryman in E Company of the 5th Cav Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division from 1950 – 1953. After being Honorably Discharged from the Army, he returned to school at West Ark, where he met his match politically and romantically. He ran for class president in 1954 against a young woman from Fort Smith named Sally Wernette and won, both the election and -- later -- her heart. Jim and Sally were married at Goddard Methodist Church in Fort Smith in March 1955. Jim worked in the trucking industry from 1955 until his retirement in 1989, working first for Red Ball Express in Dallas, Texas as a rate clerk, then for the rest of his career for Yellow Transit, which became Yellow Freight Systems. Jim Curry was a terminal manager in Holdenville, OK, Springfield, MO, Upper Sandusky, OH, and Cleveland, OH. In 1969, he became the Manager for Yellow Freight Systems’ Baxter Springs, KS office, and later a Regional Manager for the company. Jim and Sally and their two children moved to Miami, OK in the fall of 1969, where they purchased their home by the Neosho River, residing there through hell (the closing of the BF Goodrich plant) and high water (’07). Proximity to the river gave Jim the opportunity to both fish and hunt along its banks. Jim enjoyed time hunting and fishing with his family throughout his life. He was a supporter of the arts as a Friend of the Coleman Theatre, and the Miami Little Theatre; he was a volunteer for the Miami Public Library; and a member of First United Methodist Church. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, all seven of his siblings, and his wife of 64 years. He is survived by his daughter, Laura Curry Barnett and her husband, S. Lamar Barnett (Lake Mary, FL); his son, James Neil Curry, Jr. and his wife Wanda Curry (Little Rock, AR). Six grandsons, brothers Andrew L. Barnett (Fort Campbell, KY), William L. Barnett (Buckeye, AZ), S. Lucas Barnett (Davenport, FL), and Simon L. Barnett (Deltona, FL); and James N. Curry III (Fayetteville, AR) and his brother Daniel Curry (Benton, AR). Three great grandsons, Clayton, Lincoln and Marshall – all will miss their Grandad, but as people of faith, we know this parting is temporary. Services for James are Thursday at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church in Miami. Services have been placed in the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Curry's Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

James Neil Curry

September 4, 1930 - November 10, 2022