Daniel Patrick McCurdy Sr.

Daniel Patrick McCurdy Sr.

Sherman

Daniel Patrick McCurdy, Sr. (Dan) passed away on Monday afternoon, Feb. 5, after complications during recovery from surgery. Dan was 76 years old and lived a very full life! Dan's background in Radio/Television broadcasting and advertising was legendary. Dan began his radio career as a high school student working for a small 500-watt radio station in Stamford, Texas; working weekends for free just to get the experience. He was quickly hired by KRBC Radio in Abilene, Texas. This started an outstanding career that took Dan from Abilene to Dallas in 1964 to work for the Father of Top 40 Radio: the iconic Gordon McClendon at the 50,000-watt powerhouse KLIF AM "The mighty 1190".

Dan was quickly promoted to the morning drive time slot to host the Charlie and Harrigan Show, along with local Dallas radio legend, Ron Chapman. Dan was then recruited to host the popular Emperor Fenway Program at WMEX in Boston. Following that stint in Boston, Dan was hired to host the morning drive time Dan Patrick Show on KBOX AM in Dallas for several years.

In 1967 he was recruited to be an advertising and creative officer at the Stanford Agency, which was the in-house advertising agency for 7-11 convenience stores, headquartered in Dallas. At the Stanford Agency, Dan was in his element, using his keen sense of humor, broad intellect and his uncanny ability of being a phenomenal wordsmith. He was a primary member of the team that created the "Oh Thank Heaven for Seven Eleven" radio and TV campaign, and the introduction of the "Slurpee" - the iconic frozen drink. While at 7-11, Dan and his group of merry punsters created some of the most memorable ad campaigns of the 70's and 80's. After years of creativity with 7-11, he was then offered the position of VP of Corporate Communication and Creative Director for Town and Country Food Stores headquartered in San Angelo, Texas. Where in true Dan McCurdy style, he introduced West Texas to ad's featuring Town & Country's arch nemesis: "the folks at the Toot n Scoot store down the street."

Dan was one of the most talented and creative individuals in radio and TV broadcasting and was honored to be chosen as a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame for his extensive talents in that field. He retired to Sherman, Texas in 2007 to be with his family.

He is survived by his children from his marriage to Alice Kelly McCurdy. Daniel Patrick McCurdy, Jr and his wife, Carla and their children Joey (10) and Gavin (8); Michael McCurdy and his wife Christa Van Alstine and their children Finlay (4) and Emmett (1); and Kathryn and her husband Michael Ivey and their children Peyton (19), Ryan (11), Olivia (8) and Easton (4); His brothers Bob McCurdy and his wife Mary of Richmond, Kentucky, and Jim McCurdy and his wife Tia of Cedar Park, Texas.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, John L. McCurdy, Sr. and his mother, Rachel M. McCurdy.

Funeral service is at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Highlands Christian Church located at 9949 McCree Rd, Dallas, TX 75238. Viewing will be from 12 p.m. until service time at the church. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m Monday, Feb. 11, at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman.

The family requests that any memorials be sent to the charity of their choice.

The register book may be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.

Services are under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home of Sherman.