George Curry's Obituary
George Robert Curry, son of I. T. and Ava Quigley Curry, was born September 11, 1924, in Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, June 12, 2009, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, nine months, and one day. On February 12, 1951, he was united in marriage to Grace Beatrice Hillme, and this union was blessed with three daughters and one son. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Grace, on August 11, 2005; a daughter, Chris Leigh Curry; and a brother, Tom Curry. George is survived by a son, Craig Curry, and his wife, Tracy, of Lebanon, Missouri; two daughters, Kathleen Copeland, and her husband, Bill, of Ozark, Missouri, and Karen Espey, and her husband, Michael, of Shawnee, Kansas; three grandsons, Wesley and Austin Curry, and Sammy Espey; a number of nieces and nephews; his special girl, “Shadow”; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was born and raised in the Lebanon community and was graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1942. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army, and was stationed in Belgium during World War II. He then attended Missouri University where he earned a degree in engineering. After college, George moved to Colorado and worked for the Continental Oil Company for a few years. In the late 1940’s, he returned to Lebanon and joined his father in the banking business, beginning a career that would span over sixty years. During his first few years at the State Savings Bank, George began dating a bank employee by the name of Grace Hillme. This act broke his own Cardinal rule of never dating an employee. In 1951, he married Grace and they made their home in Lebanon and lovingly raised their family. In 1969, the bank changed its name and location in Lebanon and became known as Central Bank. Throughout the years, Central Bank grew into one of the area’s most notable financial institutions with branches across Lebanon and in Conway, and George held the positions of President, C.E.O. and Chairman of the Board. He was very helpful to many individuals and businesses during the years, and did a lot of his banking transactions with a handshake agreement. George was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Lebanon. He was a longtime member and Past President of the Missouri Banker’s Association, and the Lebanon Rotary Club. He had served on the Lebanon R-III School Board and as a Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. He was a trustee for the Citizen’s of Lebanon and a member of the Board of Directors of Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. He had also served on various other civic committees and boards of directors and was always very supportive of the Lebanon community. George greatly enjoyed going to the Lake where he and Gracie liked entertaining their many friends. He possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved spending time with his best girl, “Shadow”. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandsons, often encouraging them to do whatever they wanted. George was a loving family man, a dedicated and supportive businessman, and a kind and caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and will remember him fondly as a quiet, understated, Christian gentleman. Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday June 15, 2009 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mt. Rose Memorial Park. Visitation is Sunday afternoon 2-4:00pm under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Curry Cancer Center. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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