Ben Curry

1923 - 2013

Ben Curry obituary, 1923-2013, Merced, CA

BORN

1923

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home

1490 B Street

Merced, California

Ben Curry Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 14, 2013.

Ben Curry
(1923-2013)

Ben Curry passed away on Friday, January 11, 2013. Ben was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1923 to Ben R. Curry and Abigail M. Curry. They and Ben's two brothers, William H. (Bill) Curry and Jack C. Curry moved west and settled in Le Grand, California in 1925. Ben was a lively and bright child who loved growing up in the small farming town of Le Grand where his father was a Chemistry teacher and Principal of Le Grand High School and his mother was a Registered Nurse. As a boy, Ben loved hunting, fishing and playing basketball. Ben loved reading stories of pilots and aces from the First World War and dreamed of becoming a pilot as a child. Ben graduated from Le Grand High School and attended Marin Junior College. After the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, Ben signed up for flight cadet school in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He piloted B-24s and B-17 Flying Fortresses in the Army during World War Two. At the age of 20 Ben took off at midnight and piloted a B-17 bomber across the North Atlantic from Gander, Newfoundland, Canada to Wales to begin his active duty in the European Theater of War as a pilot based in East Anglia, England.

After the war ended Ben resumed his education at Fresno State College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Political Science. He picked up his last few units needed for his degree from Fresno State at the last session they offered of summer school classes at Huntington Lake, where he met his lifelong love, Nancy Gwosden. She was taking summer classes there and camping with her two aunts who had accompanied her out to California for the summer from their home in Pennsylvania. Ben fell in love and pursued her and corresponded with her for five years before convincing her to accept his proposal of marriage and to move 3,000 miles west from her parents and family. While he attempted to keep in touch with Nancy, he attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco on the G.I. Bill, where he was an honor student. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1950 and passed the California Bar Exam on his first attempt, then taking a job as an attorney for Cammie Haden and Robert H. Haden in their law offices in Dinuba and Visalia, California.

In 1952 Ben Curry and Nancy Gwosden were married in Dinuba, California. Ben lived and worked as an attorney for five years in Dinuba while Nancy worked as a school teacher, before moving to Merced where he took a job as a Deputy District Attorney working for D.A. Steve Galvin from 1955-1960 during which time he served as Chief Deputy D.A. Ben left the D.A.'s office and started a private law practice. He also was the Merced County Public Defender from 1961-1966. In 1967 Ben joined the law firm of Silveira, Garret, Goul & Curry as a partner. He was a past President of the Merced County Bar Association, the Merced County Estate Planning Council, and the Merced County Law Library Board of Trustees. From 1983 1989 Ben and Dudley Goul practiced together as Goul & Curry until Dudley Goul's retirement. Ben's son Tom Curry joined him in the practice of law in 1992, forming the firm Curry and Curry. Ben and his son practiced together for 19 years before Ben retired in 2011.


Ben was a member of many community organizations at one time or another during his life. Ben loved to hunt and fish, to go on pack trips with friends and he enjoyed the outdoors. Ben became an avid skier and enjoyed taking annual ski trips to Utah with his friends. Ben was also a great cook, and his family loved his breakfasts, beef stews, lentil soups and his many delicious experiments in the kitchen. In his later years Ben enjoyed traveling with Nancy to reunions of his 25th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in various locations around the country.

Ben was an active member of Central Presbyterian Church in Merced for many years, and he served as an Elder and a Deacon for the church, where he enjoyed serving communion. Ben loved the Lord and was a faithful Christian to the end of his days. Ben was a true patriot and he served his country proudly and ably during time of war, as did both of his brothers and many of his ancestors and relatives. Ben was a very hard working and conscientious man, and a loving family man. Ben adored his wife Nancy and loved his children dearly and worked to provide them with a good life and to provide his children with educations and strong faith. Ben was honest and blunt, and he had a wonderfully funny and dry sense of humor. Ben was an avid reader and he was also a font of knowledge who could regale you with all kinds of information about history, literature and many other topics.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Ben R. Curry and Abigail M. Curry; brothers, William H. Curry, M.D. and 2nd Lt. Jack C. Curry, U.S. Army Air Corps.

Ben is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy; children, Patricia Ann (Pattee) Russell-Curry (John) and Thomas Marshall Curry, both of Merced; his grandchildren, Jason Russell (Carrie) of Tigard, Oregon, Jesse Russell-Curry of Merced, and Keddy Russell-Curry of San Jose, CA; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26 at Central Presbyterian Church at 520 West 20th Street, Merced with reception to follow.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Ben Curry

What is your first memory of Ben?

Share a favorite memory you have of Ben.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Ben.

Describe a time when Ben made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Ben?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Ben.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Ben.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Ben.

What is something you learned from Ben?

Not sure what to say?

January 22, 2013

peggy Priest

We are Pray for comfort and peace to all of Ben's family...till you meet again! Most Sincerely Peggy Flanagan Preist and Terry Priest

January 22, 2013

Hat Haden Arvey

Nancy, Pattee and Tom, What a lovely tribute to Ben. I have been priveleged to have known Ben and all of you almost all of my life. I remember meeting you Nancy when Ben finally got you to California and pursuaded you to marry him. What a fine, brilliant, loving and droll man. You were such dear friends of my parents and of our family, an important part of our lives. I am sorry that I cannot be there to honor Ben at his service, but look forward to visiting with you and sharing Ben stories when I am next in Merced.

January 18, 2013

Kathy Brownell

Aunt Nancy, Pattee, and Tom, my sincerest condolences to you all. I will miss my Uncle Ben immensely and am please that I got to visit with you all at Thanksgiving 2011! You are all in my thoughts and prayers on this day.

January 18, 2013

Genie Donnelly

Tom: our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Loved reading about your dad's lively past!

January 17, 2013

Arnie Russell-Snyder

While his passing wasn't a shock, his presence will certainly be missed. Ben always livened up the room with his dry humor and his sense of history. He was so generous to my family and me. I only regret not being able to spend more time with him. Rest In Peace!

January 17, 2013

dan and sandy naranjo

tom, i'm so sad to hear about your dad's passing...he had such a great sense of humor and i always enjoyed our talks...it was a priviledge to know him and i'll always remember him. our thoughts are with you at this time.

January 16, 2013

Our sympathies to you and your family, Nancy. The short time we had with Ben through the 25th bomb group were very enjoyable. Ben was an interesting man with a great sense of humor. We always looked forward to seeing the both of you at the reunions. Thinking of you, Russ & Josie Wanka

January 16, 2013

Jaye Lynn Ravenstad

To Tom and family - I am so sorry in the passing of your farther, Ben Curry. His obituary was beautifully written. Wishing you peace and loving memories of your time with him. Much love, JL Ravenstad

January 16, 2013

Mel Smith

I am sorry to hear of Ben's passing, he will be greatly blessed. Ben lived a long, interesting life. Psalms 90:10 says that those who live to be 80 and older have "extra strength", Ben had that extra strength. May you keep fond memories of him always in your heart as you seek the peace and comfort that only God can give at this time of grief.

January 16, 2013

Tony Dossetti

May God Bless Ben and his family. So sorry for your loss, he was a great man.

January 16, 2013

Jill Newman

May God bless your family with His grace and comfort during this time.

January 16, 2013

Kent & Suzanne Roberts

Kent & I will always cherish the many stories Ben shared with us over the years about family, community & his service in WWII. Ben & Nancy have been shining examples of a christian couple, and we're thankful to have had them in our lives.

January 16, 2013

Rest in pease Art & Heidi Richards

January 14, 2013

Stratford Evans Funeral Chapel

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results

Make a Donation
in Ben Curry's name

Memorial Events
for Ben Curry

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home

1490 B Street, Merced, CA 95340

How to support Ben's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Ben Curry's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more