Charles E. Curry

CURRY CHARLES EWING CURRY (Age 92) Passed away at home in Key Largo, FL on December 13, 2010. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1918 to Charles F. Curry, a Lieutenant stationed in France during World War I and Janet Boone, a descendent of Daniel Boone. He graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City and the University of Kansas, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1940. In World War II, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945, much of that time on a submarine chaser. Before the War's end, he became an officer on the Submarine "Macabi". After the war, he returned to Kansas City to a life of business and politics, where he epitomized what is meant by the phrase "business and civic leader". He joined the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association in 1945, and was elected its President in 1950. He was President of Charles F. Curry & Co. Real Estate. In 1962, he was elected as the presiding judge of the Jackson County Court in Kansas City, Missouri, the position formerly held by Harry S. Truman before Truman was elected to the United States Senate. In that position, he served for eight years, changing the direction of county government to an emphasis on reform and professional management. In 1964, he headed the Committee for County Progress, to reform city and county government and create a new county charter and merit system in the county, at that time plagued by spoils patronage of the previous political machine. He ushered through a bond issue in 1967 for capital improvements to the city, including the Harry S Truman Sports Complex, roads, parks and flood control. He also served as President of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Curry was one of the leading businessmen in Missouri to push through the Equal Rights Amendment. His efforts provided inspiration for the National Business Council on the ERA, in which the American business community lobbied state legislators in states where ERA had not been ratified. He moved to Washington, DC and became Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee in 1981, following numerous roles in national politics, including Missouri Chairman of the Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson 1976 presidential campaign, as well as a bid for Missouri Governor in 1964 and the U.S. Senate in 1976. He also served as one of the "favorite son" candidates in the 1984 Presidential election. In Washington, Curry served on the Board of Directors of the Center for National Policy, and established a national office of the Charles E. Curry Foundation, which he founded in 1956. The Curry Foundation supported a number of religious, educational, and charitable programs, and sponsored policy studies on issues as diverse as agricultural reform in developing countries to supporting research in astrophysics and gamma-ray astronomy. He was awarded Clemson University's Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2007. Mr. Curry was a member of the Ocean Reef Club and the Key Largo Angler's Club, and was an avid boater. He served as Commodore of the Key Largo Angler's Club and Commodore of the Coral Gables Yacht Club. He was an avid golfer and croquet player, both in Florida and in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he lived for many years and was a member of The Wade Hampton Golf Club, and the Chattooga Club. In 1996 he moved to Salem, South Carolina on Lake Keowee to be in close proximity to Clemson University, as he had developed a interest in some of the newest research in high-energy astrophysics. He attended classes at Clemson, read scientific books and journals, and attended symposiums on astrophysics in Europe and at NASA, Huntsville. He also had the opportunity to have a private viewing of the giant telescopes in the remote mountains outside of LaSerena, Chile in 2005. He was a collector of modern art. He was an Eagle Scout. He was affiliated with the Sons of the Revolution. A deeply devout and spiritual man, Curry was Campaign Chairman of the Council of Churches, a deacon of the Calvary Baptist Church and served on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Charlotte Rommel; his children, Pauline Dierks Curry, Laura Curry Sloan (Peter), Janet Curry Acamono (Peter), Charles S. Curry (Molly), Maxine Christopher, Sherry M. Ruffing (Frank) and Jennifer M. Schreyer (Julien); 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on January 10 at the Ocean Reef Chapel in Key Largo, FL. A flag ceremony and reception will follow at the Key Largo Anglers Club. Donations in his honor may be made to The Clemson University Physics & Astronomy Department or Hospice of the Florida Keys.