J.C. McCurdy

J.C. McCurdy, 94, died Friday, October 21, 2011, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. J.C. was born July 15, 1917, in Greer County, Oklahoma, youngest son of William and Alice McCurdy. During his youth he worked at the family grocery store and farm. He graduated from Ocina High School as valedictorian and attended Southwestern State Teachers' College, Oklahoma State University and received a Master's degree from Abilene Christian University. During his life, he taught in public schools and at Abilene Christian, was a volunteer fireman, did bookkeeping for the Santa Fe Railroad and Wimberly Field Unit, and opened a C.P.A. practice in Abilene in 1953, retiring at age 87. He served as president of the Abilene Chapter of Texas CPAs and Abilene Business and Estate Planning Council. He married his college sweetheart, Arlyene Stout, from Brinkman, OK, on December 27, 1939, and they were married for almost 72 years. To them were born two daughters, Carolyn and Janey. J.C.'s Christianity was one of the most important things in his life. He was baptized as a youth and was a called-out leader and lay minister for over 70 years. He was a charter member of Hillcrest Church of Christ. African mission work was one of his highest priorities and a true labor of love. Abilene Christian honored him with their "Service to Missions" award in 1994. He was a member of the Abilene Kiwanis Club, earning the distinction of fifty years of perfect attendance. He was named "Kiwanian" of the Year in 1988. J.C. is survived by his wife, Arlyene; his daughter, Janey Mims; three grandchildren, Allen Close of Lexington, SC, Denise Santiago of Euless, TX, and David Mims, of Keller, TX; six great-grandchildren, Luke J.C. Close, Ashley Close, Brianna Close, Bethany Santiago, Daniel Santiago, and a yet unborn great-granddaughter; a sister, Patsy McGee of Willow, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a "second father" to son-in-law Dennis Mims, foster son John Hanson of Abilene, and Adam Broom of Paragould, AR. He was predeceased by his daughter, Carolyn Close and her daughter, Cindy; his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 24, at Hillcrest Church of Christ with Jim York of Dumas, Texas and Loy Mitchell of Dyersburg, Tennessee officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Luke J.C. Close, Daniel Santiago, John Hanson, Adam Broom, Mark Miller and Kris Southward. Memorial contributions may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601.