McCurry, Gene 1922-2005

MCCURRY, LINCOLN, OLTROGGE, KNAPP, SHEELER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/26/2009 at 07:13:59

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; July 21, 2005

GENE MCCURRY

Gene McCurry, 82, of Grinnell died on Sunday, July 17, at his home.

A funeral service was held Thursday morning at 10:30 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. Daniel Ogata, officiating. Personal comments were by Jack Marcum. Music was provided by Kathleen McCune, pianist, and a vocal quartet of August Steffen, Sandra Ficken, and Rita and Bill McDonald. Casket bearers were Kenny, Mike, Joe and Steve McCurry, Bill Noel and Jim Markhardt. Honorary bearers were Jack Allgood, Richard Berman, Jack Collum, Clark Jensen, Kevin Lincoln, Gene Martinson, Randy McCurry and Jim Van Draska. Interment was at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Gene was born on August 28, 1922, in Grinnell to Hayes and Mae Lincoln McCurry. He was raised in Grinnell and attended Grinnell schools and later took courses in Mount Pleasant and the Air Force Academy. Following his eduation, he worked on construction projects in Des Moines and Missouri.

During World War II he served with the United States Army Air Corps and flew missions in B-24s over the European and North African Theatres. He was awarded four Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and a Certificate of Valor.

On April 11, 1943, he was married to Joan Oltrogge. The couple lived in Grinnell, where he worked for the Ahrens Seed Corn Company, then moved to Marshalltown where he worked for the Strand Baking Company. The family then moved back to Grinnell and he worked as a car salesman for Leo "Hoop" Wright and operated the restaurants at the Bowladrome and the Three Elms Cafe. From 1964 to 1987 he owned and operated McCurry's Cafe and the Pioneer Oil Company.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and attending sprint car races at Knoxville. He was an avid supporter of Grinnell High School and Iowa State University athletic events. He was also a member and sponsor of McCurry's Softball Team, as well as a supporter of many local bowling and athletic community teams.

He is survived by his wife, Joan McCurry, of Grinnell; his children Jody Knapp of Arlington, Va., David McCurry of Naples, Fla., and Kirk McCurry of Grinnell; five grandchildren; and three brothers, Mac McCurry of Bullhead City, Ariz., C.J. 'Duke' McCurry of Grinnell, and Jerry McCurry of Knoxville. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Evelyn Sheeler.

Memorials may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospice.