John Collins McCurdy

John Collins McCurdy, age 92, of Alderson, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Born July 30, 1929, at Lexington, VA, he was the son of the late Collins Chaffin and Ruth (Fitzgerald) McCurdy. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Pearl Butcher McCurdy, and a son, David Dare McCurdy. After receiving his education in West Virginia and Virginia, he began his career with the Federal Prison Service in Ashland, KY. John later transferred to the Federal Reformatory for Women in Alderson. Except for a short transfer to Petersburg, VA as a Training Manager, he spent his entire career at Alderson before retiring in 1980 with 27 years of service. He remained active after retirement with the federal prison system as a consultant. During John's career, he served as a guest instructor for the F.B.I. Academy at Quantico, VA and U.S. Navy Corrections in Norfolk, VA. He provided presentations about these temporary assignments to the Central Office of the Bureau of Prisons. He also conducted audits of training programs at various institutions in addition to being a hostage negotiator. John was a member of the F.C.I. Alderson Rifle and Pistol Team and the Southeast U.S. Regional Team. He competed in the Attorney General's match and was a perennial member of the West Virginia State Pistol Team. John served his community in many capacities during his life. He was a former member of the Alderson City Council and served multiple terms as the Town Recorder. He also sat on the first Board of Directors for the Renaissance Building Planners. John was active in youth activities as well and was one of the first Little League Baseball coaches in the area. John was a member of Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church and a member of the Alderson Masonic Lodge #70 AF&AM. John is survived by his sons, Collins Bryan McCurdy and his wife Doris, of Greenville and Robert Edward Lee McCurdy and his wife Elaine, of Alderson; a grandson, Patrick Collins McCurdy and his wife Pam, of Marlinton; a great grandson, Garrett Collins McCurdy, of Fairmont, a granddaughter, Emma McCurdy of Madison, Wisconsin; his brother Sidney Lee McCurdy and wife Lora, of Hopewell, VA and his sister Elizabeth Burch, of Lexington, VA; as well as several loving nieces and nephews. In keeping his wishes, John has been cremated, and a celebration of life will be Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Johnson Memorial United Methodist United Church in Alderson, with Rev. Sam Groves and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kanode officiating. For those wishing to show an expression of sympathy, contributions may be made in memory of Mr. McCurdy to the Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 477, Alderson, WV 24910. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John, please visit our Tree Store.