James Richard Mccurry

James Richard McCurry, age 67, departed this life on December 16, 2016, at UAB Hospital where he received a heart transplant in 1996. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he was born in Knoxville and lived 25 years in Michigan before returning to Tennessee to be a small business owner for 20 years. He was a private pilot who loved nature, photography, woodworking, and growing plants; enjoyed scuba diving and boating; and liked to research local and Civil War history. He was a gracious, caring, courageous Christian gentleman whose kindness extended to all who knew him. Often spoken of as “the nicest man I ever met,” his smile and spirit readily endeared him to others and will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, James H. and Ann McCurry, and by his sister, Joy Allen, of Tampa, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Alice; his beloved son, Matthew; his brother, Greg (Lansing, Illinois); in-laws , Hazel Guyton, Brenda Connell, Chip Hill, Timothy (Carol) Hill, Kimuel (Carolyn) Hill, Anna (Randall) Moore, Joseph (Kristin) Hill; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews aw well as a host of friends. Special thanks are expressed to the entire healthcare teams at UAB and at UT Medical Center, to Dr. John Acker, and to Dr. Christopher Sawyer for excellence in care giving that enabled him to enjoy his life to the fullest. Continued thanks are also extended to the donor family and donor whose gift made these last 20 years possible. Thanks to be to God for every good gift in this life and in the life everlasting. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sharon Baptist Church building fund. The family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Wednesday at Sharon Baptist Church with funeral service to follow at 7:00 pm, Dr. James Robertson and Rev. Mark McCoig officiating. Family and friends will meet 12:45 pm, Thursday at Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery for 1:00 pm interment.