Mr. John Michael Curry, 89, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at home surrounded by his family.
John was born on October 19, 1931 in Kansas City, Ks., a son of Michael and Irene (Smith) Curry. John was united in marriage on May 11, 1957 to Barbara Becker who preceded him in death August 23, 1992. There were seven children born from this marriage. On March 17, 1994, John married Shirley Palmer, who passed away Sunday, November 29, 2020.
John was a graduate of Redemptorist High School in Kansas City, Ks. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst University.
John enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War. After returning home, John was employed by Southwestern Bell in various positions in both Kansas and Missouri for a total of 43 years. On January 1, 1993, John retired as the Executive Director of Government Affairs.
John was a member and past president of the Jefferson City Country Club, a member of the Rotary Club in both Joplin and Ferguson, Mo., and he was a District Executive of the B.S.A. Gateway Council. John was an ordained lector and communion minister at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
He was an avid reader from an early age and would make weekly trips to the library coming home with five or more books each week. He loved to play golf and would do so with whomever could put up with him for 9 holes. He was proud of his Irish heritage and was known to belt out Oh’ Danny Boy if the mood struck him.
Survivors include: seven children, Kathleen Haslag (Dan), Patrick Curry (Meredith), and Mary Rackers (Tom) all of Jefferson City, Mo., Timothy Curry of Lenexa, Ks., Sheila O’Neal of Overland Park, Ks., Sean Curry (Cindy) of Denton, Tx., and Shannon Curry (Theodore Shinkle) of Hurley, NM.; three step-children, Mark Old (deceased) and Jeff Old, both of Columbia, Mo., and Stacy Kneibert (Phil) of Leawood, Ks.; two brothers, Thomas Curry of Kansas City, Mo., and Jerry Curry (Heather) of Overland Park, Ks.; sixteen grandchildren, with one more on the way; six step-grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren with two more on the way.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Joanne Cates and Sharon Rimann.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens for family and friends.
A webcast of the graveside service will begin at 2:00 PM Thursday for those that are not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE), Missouri River Regional Library or Pancreatic Cancer Research Network.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.