James CURRY

CURRY, James Allen II of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024 in Atlanta, GA, surrounded by his family. Born September 29, 1941 in Albany, GA, Jim grew up fishing with his dad, visiting Cuba as a Boy Scout and then again with his family prior to 1959, and developing his musical chops as a member of the Albany High School band. Eager to explore the big city, Jim moved from Albany to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech, where he majored in Construction Engineering and was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity. He also served in the United States Army as a controller based in Atlanta. Upon leaving the service, he returned to Albany to work at his father's construction company. One fateful visit to see his sister, Charlotte, who was studying at Florida State University, saw an introduction to her roommate, a curious blonde theatre student named Allyn Kathryn Fleming. The two started long-distance dating and were married in 1968. The duo started their marriage in Albany before Kathy convinced Jim to move to sunny Tampa Bay, where she had spent much of her childhood. They first lived in Largo near the Gulf before relocating to South Tampa. Jim loved Tampa and the many friends he made here. Jim's multiple projects during his time with Austin Construction, Hennessy Construction, and several others included work ranging from the Sarasota Airport to a nunnery in West Tampa. He changed careers later in life, earning an MS in Physics from the University of South Florida, and spent the latter part of his professional career focused on the family's timber interests. Jim's silly sense of humor was an active part of our family, whether repeating the "52 Card Pickup" joke or singing earnestly to the family cats. Jim was devoted to his family, and put in the time and work to do whatever they needed. Road trips to Western North Carolina, treks to Charleston, Memphis, Maine, and Wyoming, squiring his children back and forth from camp, gymnastics meets, rappelling adventures, boarding school, college, sudden summer internships in Ohio, and everything in between were a source of enjoyment for him. Meanwhile, Jim's belief in his children was a source of strength for them. Jim absolutely adored Kathy's beloved mother, Edith, who lived with them for five years, and built her her own in-law suite to assure her independnce. Jim was especially devoted to his wife of 53 years, Kathy, and she to him. They weathered the ups and downs of life with a sweet loyalty to and patience with each other. But he did emerge victorious in one area: No matter how surreptitiously Kathy tried to slip eggplant into dishes, Jim could always detect and remove it with a triumphant grin. He did not like eggplant. He basically did whatever she said except for the eggplant thing. James leaves behind his beloved wife, Kathryn Fleming Curry; his children, Leslie and James [Sherri] Curry; his brother, Seaborn Jackson Curry; cousin, Pam [Frank] Grenoble; nephew, Geoffrey Bradford; neices, Millan Curry Edmonson and Brantley Curry; and dear friend, Phyllis Curry. Services will be held at Hyde Park Methodist at a future date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.