Michael Loyd Curry

Michael was born in La Jolla, California on July 5th, 1955 to Richard L. E. and Betty Newman Curry. Raised in San Diego, Michael spent his formative years exploring Torrey Pines beach and hiking the canyons around Otay Lakes. He graduated from Hilltop High School in Chula Vista a semester early and worked odd jobs for a few years before moving out to Briery Branch in Virginia.

By 1980 Michael joined the United States Navy where he served as an electrician for 15 years. While on the USS Independence, USS Sylvania, and the USS Thomas S. Gates, Michael traveled widely to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the South Pacific. He was a veteran of the Gulf War.

After gaining early retirement in 1995, Michael moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he attended James Madison University with the support of the G.I. Bill. Michael's talents were recognized as an adult student at JMU when he graduated summa cum laude in 1999, and was elected to numerous honor societies; he achieved all of this while working full-time at the Myositis Association of America. He applied his newly acquired knowledge and skills at Tyco Electronics as a manufacturing engineer, before the plant was shut down in 2001. Shortly thereafter, Michael became an instructor in computer repair and business at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) in Fishersville, VA, which serves adults with special needs. He worked at WWRC until his death.

The above biography does not even begin to summarize the beautiful, deep and compassionate man that was Michael Curry. Although a convivial person, he preferred intimate gatherings to large crowds. For those who were lucky enough to know him, they will remember his powerful intellect and skill as a conversationalist and story-teller. Michael was an armchair philosopher and a garage-shop engineer. As a philosopher, he was influenced by the Epicurean and Taoist schools of thought, and one of his favorite questions to contemplate was "What is goodness?" He was deeply interested in the philosophy of education (notably John Dewey) and a vocal supporter of introducing critical thinking skills into the K-12 curriculum. As a hobbyist and engineer, he was as an audiophile, a horticulturist, a knife maker, a home brewer, a wood worker, a soap maker and an electrician -- each of which engaged his fascination with the physical principles that govern the world.

Michael is survived by his son, Justin Michael Curry; his mother, Betty Newman Curry; his sisters, Hollyn Chase and Lorraine Curry; his former wife, Lois Tuck Curry; his cat, Simone de Beauvoir; and many friends who loved him dearly. He will be sorely missed.

A private gathering will be held at his home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network or another foundation devoted to bladder cancer research and support.