Tributes

Lt. Colonel John Russell (Russ) Currey (retired) passed away February 14, 2016. He is survived by his wife Glenda of 30 years, his son Jonathan, his daughter Ashley, brother George Currey, and sisters Francis Schaffer and Cynthia Launhardt, stepson Bob Cupp, Jr., stepdaughter Caren Cupp and stepdaughter Laura Cupp and eleven grandchildren, Kyle, Jack, Zane, Kaden, Adella, Connor, Caroline, Gracie, Mason and Lily and Leila. Russ was born in Vicksburg, MS, in Jan. 1938. He excelled in school and was a guard on the MS high school state championship football team, earning State honors as a senior in 1955-56. He entered the USAF Academy in 1956 and was a member of the second graduating class of the Academy. His USAFA time was eventful, as he was on the Honor Committee, boxed (winning a Wing Championship at Lightweight), and served as Commander of the 8th Squadron during first half of his First Class year. Russ flew the C-130A, B, & H (more than 4000 hours), mostly during the Vietnam conflict in the 60's, with three tours in SEA. After SEA he went to AFIT, earning his Masters in Systems Analysis. He stayed on at Wright-Patterson working on computer systems upgrades at the Log Command. His son Jonathan and daughter Ashley were born there in 1970 and 1971 respectively. In 1975 he was called back to the C-130 cockpit where he served as Operation Officer of the 62nd TAS and then as Deputy Commander of the 334th Training Group. His final assignment was on the NATO staff in Virginia, where he wrote plans for the reinforcement of Europe. Russ also enjoyed coaching little league soccer and was a leader for the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. After retiring from the USAF in 1983, he worked in stealth coating and structure design at Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach, Fl. He retired in 1993, and then relocated to Huntsville, AL where he began as a test engineer at Computer Sciences Corporation. He retired again in 2004. After CSC, he and Glenda bought a farm in Eastaboga, AL, and founded Currey Family Farms, raising beef cattle. While in Eastaboga, he also served as President of the Military Officers Association of America for several years and also taught the adult Sunday School class at Craig Memorial United Methodist Church. The Funeral Service will be held at Craig Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 175 John Wills Avenue Eastaboga, AL 36260. The family will receive friends from 10-11 am and the service will begin at 11:00am. Mailing address for Craig Memorial UMC is: PO Box 86 Eastaboga, AL 36260. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Craig Memorial UMC c/o the Russ Currey Memorial Fund, which will be used for local missions.

Tributes

John Russell Currey Jr

January 15, 1938 - February 14, 2016