Harold Curry

Harold James Curry, 98, of Overland Park KS, died August 15, 2019, surrounded by his family.  He was the strength and rock of his family.  His strong character values, integrity, ethics, sense of humor, love, & support helped to guide our family on our journey to becoming the children, grand children & great grand children he was so proud of and loved beyond measure.

He was born January 14, 1921 on the Higgins Ranch, Brownlee Nebraska, where his father was a ranch hand and his mother was the ranch cook.  At age 3, the family moved to Wyoming.  At age 6, the family returned to Nebraska in two covered wagons. His family didn’t have much, but what they did have was lost during the 1927 depression. He spent the remainder of his youth in Fairbury, Nebraska and was the primary wage earner for the family after his father was seriously injured while working for the Rock Island Railroad in a rail bridge collapse.

He graduated from Fairbury High School (Nebraska), while attending vocational trade school studying electronics, commercial refrigeration, & electricity. He attained his successful business career by attending the School Of Hard Knocks, with determination, without attending college or receiving a college degree.

Harold left home at the age of 19 to work as an electrician in the ship building industry in the Pacific Northwest in support of the war effort. He later enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 as a member of the U.S. Combat 3rd Engineers Communications Division, and Army Rangers. He served (38) consecutive months (without furlough) in the Philippines, Australia, New Guinea, & the US Occupation of  Japan, returning home in December 1945.  In 2017, Congressman Kevin Yoder presented him with five WWII service medals, 71 years after returning home: 1) World War II Victory medal, 2) Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Arrowhead, 3) Good Conduct Medal, 4) Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Two Bronze Campaign Stars, and 5) Honorable Service Lapel Button.  He has one more medal that has been delayed by red tape: 6) Occupation Medal (Japan)

He met his wife of (62) years, Bertha (Bea) Marcella Anderson, in 1941.  They married on October 3, 1946 after his return from WWII. She was his love and guiding compass; his partner in life, & and partner in business.

He loved gardening & growing hybrid roses, dancing, fishing, a sharp multi-blade pocket knife, training his (5) horses, snuggling, pitch’n woo, time with family, playing bridge, and Kansas City BBQ. If you needed something, he could make it, or fix just about anything with chewing gum, baling wire, duct tape, or a simple hug. A creative talent that was widely used and appreciated during his WWII service.

Harold spent the majority of his career in the sales and marketing of leading edge technologies, remaining active in the wireless industry into his 90’s. He was a past president of the Lions International Club; owner of Curry Electric Company;  Fellow Member in the Radio Club of America; Member of Communications Marketing Association; Life Member of Quarter Century Wireless International; Member of the Electronics Representatives Association; owner of RW Farris Co., a manufacturer’s sales representative firm; owner of The Antenna Farm, an electronics distributor of professional radio communication equipment; owner of Harold J. Curry Sales Co. Inc., a manufacturer’s sales representative firm; member of Atonement Lutheran Church since 1966; private airplane pilot; and an amateur radio operator (call sign KOEWX).

He is preceded in death by his Wife: Bertha (Bea) Marcella Anderson Curry; Father: Otho (Dutch) Marion Curry; Mother: Paola Annetta (Nettie) Curry; Brother: Asa (Ace) George Curry; Sister: Dorothy (Dot) Curry Davis;Sister: Betty Curry Schanze.

He is survived by (4) Children: Carna Lee Curry (daughter); Max Harold Curry (son) & Jan Necessary Curry (daughter-in law); Jamie Lynn Curry (daughter); Lori Ann Curry Voelker (daughter) & Kevin Voelker (son-in-law); (10) Grand Children; (15) Great Grand Children; (5) Grand Children Spouses.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Atonement Lutheran Church Caring Connection.