James (Jimmy) Paul Curran

It is with deep sorrow we share with you that Jimmy Curran was taken home by the Lord on October 2, 2022. He was avidly playing tennis and enjoying trips and family adventures until shortly before his unexpected diagnosis and subsequent death from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He spent his last weeks with his children, and Pam was at his side when he peacefully slipped away. He was 78.

Jimmy was born on November 2, 1943 and grew up in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. He was the 4th of Edward and Pauline Curran's 10 children. After attending Blessed Sacrament grade school and Regis High School, he entered St. Louis Jesuit Seminary, where he studied for two years. He then decided he really wanted to work with children due to the fun times he had had with his siblings growing up. He returned to Denver and earned his Classical BA at Regis College, graduating in 1967, and began his teaching career at Holy Family High School. During this time, he met the love of his life, Pamela Ann who knew many of his friends and had even grown up in the same neighborhood as he did. There were so many unusual and fun connections between the two of them that they must have been destined to meet. They married at Blessed Sacrament in 1969 and stayed in the Denver area. Early in their marriage Jimmy completed his Master's Degree in Special Education for the Physically Handicapped at the University of Northern Colorado but ended up teaching mostly English and Latin in middle schools until his retirement. He also had a second job at the Mile High Kennel Club, working at the horse track and dog track for 65+ years. Later in life, Jimmy and Pam became snowbirds and added a winter home in Surprise, Arizona. Between the two locations, they enjoyed many friendships and life with each other for nearly 53 years of marriage.

Jimmy and Pam had 3 wonderful children: Cary Cathrina, Julie Emma (Andy Wood), and John James (Nancy). The blessing and joy of 7 grandchildren has followed: Cool and Beau; Kaitlyn, Ryan and Noah; Evan and Anna. When he retired, Jimmy developed an unquenchable zeal for traveling and reading. He also spent a lot of time playing ping-pong and round after round of golf. His main passion, however, was always tennis as he enjoyed staying youthful and fit while having the added benefit of many cherished friendships on and off the courts.

Jimmy loved life and all it offered. He always had something nice to say or a piece of beauty or encouragement to share. He was genuinely interested in the hobbies and lives of his grandchildren and everyone he knew. He will forever be remembered as a kind and loyal friend, fierce and competitive yet beloved teammate, quiet, gentle, compassionate, and loving husband, father, Grampie (Boppie) and soul. Jimmy was a man close to God, disciplined in prayer and the study of God's holy word, and grateful for his many blessings. His strong faith (and dry and very witty sense of humor) guided his words and actions and was a large part of who he was. Jimmy's warm heart and sweet presence will be profoundly missed. He is survived by his immediate family members, his grandchildren, his sisters Paula, Mary, and Patty and three of his brothers: Adrian, Stephen, and David along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jimmy will be honored at a Memorial Mass at St. Jude Church on November 5, 2022 at 11:00am with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jimmy's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or JoniandFriends.org