Steven Clark Currey

Steven Clark Currey 1951 ~ 2006 Steven Clark Currey departed quietly and peacefully July 26, 2006, on his next great adventure, to explore the realms of immortality with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Steve was born on November 23, 1951 in Long Beach, California, the first child of Jackie Lee and Betty Ann Gray Currey. He was followed by six sisters, insuring that he would always be their favorite brother, and his mom's favorite son. He attended his first two years of school in California, until the family moved to Salt Lake City where he attended Libby Edward Elementary, Evergreen Jr. High, and graduated from Olympus High School. He then spent one year at Rick's College before departing for a two year LDS mission in the Argentina South Mission. Upon his return he enrolled for one year at BYU Hawaii, and then graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In 1975 he married Delia Beatriz Gomez and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They became the parents of six sons. After 28 years of marriage they were divorced. He subsequently met and married Julia E. Mitchell. Steve began working in the family business, Western River Expeditions, at the age of 12, rowing a cargo boat on the Main Salmon River. He soon became qualified as a guide, and spent many years guiding people down the Main Salmon River, Middlefork of the Salmon, Selway River, Yampa and Green Rivers, Cataract Canyon, and Grand Canyon. He eventually broadened his river running to foreign countries, taking clients on the Bio Bio River in Chile, the Yangtze in China, and rivers in India, Venezuela, Canada, Tibet, Costa Rica, Africa, and Russia. In partnership with his stepfather, he opened the country of Chile to fly fishing by developing a fly-out fishing lodge in Patagonia, Chile. Not content to just run rivers in the United States, he began traveling to areas of the world that were unexplored, visiting cultures and peoples that, in some cases, had never seen people outside their own village. He eventually became a noted explorer, accomplishing many feats of discovery and 'firsts.' His records of first descents include: 1984 - Upper Ganges, India, Alakananda River; 1986 - Chenaub River, India Himalayas; 1988 - Upper Yangtze River, China, first commercial descent; 1992 - Brahmaputra River, India (Dihang Tsangpo), first complete descent, first commercial descent; 1998 - Lower Po Tsangpo, Tibet; 1999 - Upper Po Tsangpo, Parlung Tsangpo, Tibet; 2001 - Sutlej River, India Himalayas, first commercial descent. The army of friends, business associates and acquaintances who have accompanied Steve on these and other adventures through the years have cherished their friendship with this unique man, and their experiences with him have been a highlight in their lives. Steve loved the game of handball and was a skilled player, winning the Utah Valley Open Doubles Championship in 1981 with George Rosenthall; and the Utah State Class A Singles Championship in 2003. He was proud that he won the last game of handball he ever played in April 2006, even though he unknowingly had six brain tumors. Steve was extremely proud of his family, and his concern for his sons was evident throughout his life. He loved his Heavenly Father and served faithfully in whatever calling he was given. His strong testimony was a part of who he was and he lived his religion, honoring his priesthood and remaining true, faithful, and obedient to the end. Although quiet and unassuming, he had always planned to write a book about his life, entitled "With An Oar And A Prayer," tying together the things that had made his life most meaningful through his adventures; faith, family, and friends. Steve was preceded in death by two sons, Ryan Wade and Alexander Wayne. He is survived by his wife Julia; sons: James Keith; Neal Anthony (Elyce); Jordan Ray; Chaison Lee; father Jack (Martha) Currey; mother Betty Ann (Lynn) Leasure; sisters: Dorine Rivers (Jon Peterson); Bonnie (Steven) Hyde; Janice Byers; Colleen Currey (James Woodall); Trisha (Paul) Amerpohl; Julie Ann (Allen) Holland; half-sister, Kathryn Devlin; half-brothers, Mark and John Michael; one granddaughter, step-children Jacob, Lisa, and Katherine Mitchell; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at 12:00 noon, at the Edgemont Thirteenth Ward (Sherwood Hills Chapel), 4000 North Foothill Drive, Provo, UT. Friends may call Monday evening, July 31, 2006, at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, from 6-8 p.m., or Tuesday morning, at the Chapel from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment, East Lawn Memorial Hills. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com.