John E. Curry, 75

John E. Curry passed away Feb. 13, 2018, after several years of debilitating illnesses.

John was a Kalispell native, the son of Edson and Marie Curry. He was born April 5, 1942. He attended Cornelius Hedges grade school and was a Flathead County High School graduate in the class of 1960.

John was a warm, whimsical, artistic, creative, inventive friend who never met a stranger. He loved fish and started his first business while in high school raising tropical fish to sell in local stores. John joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1960. While stationed in Washington, he met and married the love of his life, Peggy. They traveled to Hawaii where their son, Michael, was born. Upon discharge in 1964, John, Peggy and Michael moved to Missoula, where John attended the University of Montana. The births of Lisa and Debbie completed the family.

John came home to Kalispell in the 1970s where he worked in the food and beverage businesses, including the Galley Wagon in which was an invaluable friend and mentor. In the 1980s he was in Seattle working in hydroponics and enjoying being near the ocean while he studied watch repair. He returned to Kalispell, opening his watch/clock repair business. Due to his progressing rheumatoid arthritis, he retired from his repair business and started a career of cross-country trucking. John enjoyed the adventure and beauty of all his travels. During the time he also became a partner in an apartment building in Kalispell. His rheumatoid arthritis progressed, forcing John’s retirement again.

John was preceded in death by his parents, son Michael, and sisters Caroline Blair and Sue Voight.

He is survived by daughters Lisa Marie Curry Zeilenga and Debra Lynn Curry Gilbreth; ex-wife, Peggy of Washington; grandchildren, Jessicah Joy, Crista Noel, Jacob, Morgan, Sean and Rachel; daughter-in-law, Nancy Lutz; and nieces and nephews. A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. May 5 at C. E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, with lunch to follow at Sykes.