James "Jim" Lee Curiey, 93, retired electrician, passed away December 30, 2012 at Hospice House of Reno
County, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was bom October 17, 1919 to James Joseph and Vida Godsey Curiey in
Pawhuska, Oklahoma. He graduated from Verona, Missouri High School. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp in
1940, reaching the rank of Master Technical Sergeant before leaving the military in 1946. He served his country
during WWII in the campaign of Guadalcanal. In basic training, he out shot 300 Marine and FBI recruits at
Quantico and was rated an expert in rifle, pistol and bayonet. He received letters of commendation from the
Secretary of War for improved armor plate design for tanks, windage adjustments for bombardier sights and
improved design for rotary aircraft engines. He earned a Bronze Star and a Guadalcanal ribbon. He owned A-1
Auto Repair, was a proficient pilot, explored for gold in Ecuador, designed, built, and raced cars in the annual
Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He was a member of IBEW Union 661.
He married F. Elwanda Bearden on June 17, 1961. She preceded him in death, as did his older sister, Faye
Maxine Roberts, a younger brother, Robert George Curiey and his parents.
Survivors include his son, Ariie Gene Curiey of San Diego, CA; nieces, Sherry (Dr. Terry) Chambless of Round
Rock, TX, Anita Jane Kotter of Livermore, CA; nephews, Robert Lee ( Elian) Curiey of Camby, IN, Michael George
(Toni) Curiey of Las Vegas, NV, Patrick Joseph (Debbi) Curiey of Leander, TX, John Knight Curiey of Round
Rock, TX; sisters-inlaw, Tommie (Jack) Richardson of Ash Flat, AR, Elaine Collins of Pocahontas, AR, and Linda
(Bud) Day of Opelika, AL; brothers-in-law, Bill (Kathy) Bearden of Hutchinson, KS, Don (Melva) Bearden of
Woodstown, NJ, and Dennis (Sara) Bearden of Wichita, KS.
Private graveside service will be Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Springdale Cemetery, Chase, KS. Public
visitation will be Thursday, January 3, 2013 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be left to American Legion Post 368, in care of the funeral
home. Old Mission-Heritage Funeral Home, Hutchinson, Kansas is in charge of local arrangements.