John William McCurdy
June 19, 2013
John William McCurdy, 74, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. He was born July 5, 1938 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to C. Elizabeth and W.E. “Red” McCurdy. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School at age 17 and graduated from William Penn University in Oskaloosa with a double major three years later, making him too young to sign his first teaching contract. John taught chemistry and physical science at the middle school, high school, and community college level. He completed his Master's Degree from University of Montevallo in Alabama. John could amaze students, family, and friends by predicting the price of gasoline in the near future and the date on which the prices would change.
He met the love of his life, Susan (Su) Replogle, while teaching at Marshalltown Community College (MCC). They married in 1968 and made their home in Marshalltown for twenty years before moving to the Des Moines area.
John loved teaching and provided science programs and demonstrations for elementary school children and students in the Iowa Home Educators Association as "Mr. Science," and presented at the National Science Teachers' Association on generating interest in chemistry among elementary and middle school students. Even after retirement from Marshalltown Community College, John continued to teach part time for DMACC and for Iowa Christian Academy. For many years, he heard from former students telling him how much his encouragement, patience, and genuine interest in them made a difference in their lives.
John coached basketball, football, track, baseball, and girls’ softball, and served as the MCC intramurals director. He established and coached the first girls’ basketball team at Marshalltown Community College. That team took second place in the National Junior College tournament.
John was professionally active, serving as the Science Department Chair at Burlington Community School District and at MCC, President of the faculty association, President of the William Penn Alumni Association, and life member/fellow of multiple science teachers associations. He received the Outstanding Service Award from the Iowa Science Teachers' Association. He took advantage of as many professional education opportunities as he could, taking his family with him to colleges and universities in many states each summer, and amassing over 70 college credits beyond his Master's over his career. He attended science teacher conferences in England and in Russia as well, visiting the Soviet Union just a few months before it dissolved. Together, John and Su visited all fifty states, all Canadian provinces, and Mexico, and traveled Iowa many times including several tours on RAGBRAII. Their plans to visit every English-speaking country was cut short due to his illness.
In addition to his interest in science and sports, John was a history buff, gardened before it was fashionable, cooked for Cursillo and family; maintained his genealogy and visited libraries and cemeteries all over the United States in search of family records. He attended as many home football games at William Penn and home games of the Iowa Cubs as he could. For a time before it was sold, he was an active partner with his parents in McCall Monument Company.
John was a devoted Christian, a kind, friendly, forgiving man who knew no strangers, focused on the positive, and saw good in everyone he met. His faith defined his life and sustained him throughout his lengthy battle with cancer. It always saddened him that his children never met either of their grandfathers who died young. So when John was diagnosed with incurable cancer, he prayed that he would live long enough that his grandchildren would know him. His prayer was answered, and he lived an additional decade. Each of his beloved grandchildren knows who he was, what he stood for, and that he loved each of them unconditionally: Alex, Anna, Andy, Megan and Xavier.
John is survived by his wife, Su McCurdy; two daughters and sons-in law, Kathy and Dan Knapp of Des Moines, and Dr. Elizabeth McCurdy and Scott Thompson of Ankeny; five grandchildren; and a host of friends; his sister, Alta Bee Williams of Harrison, Arkansas; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Sharon McCurdy of Russell, Iowa, and Donald and Nancy McCurdy of West Des Moines, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, William John McCurdy, his parents, and a brother-in-law, Gerald Williams.
Funeral celebrations will be held at Monday, June 24, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the family plot at White Oak Grove Cemetery near Oskaloosa.
Memorials may be directed to the Mercy Hospice Johnston or to the McCurdy Loan/Scholarship at William Penn University in Oskaloosa Iowa. Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Ursula SUE McCurdy
02/03/2014
Dear Su, I would like to send my condolences! We share 2 names, I am Sue, and a McCurdy by marriage. My husband, Ronald Wm. McCurdy knew John as a second cousin. His sister, MaryAnn McCurdy Newman, was in his class in Oskaloosa. I was looking at ancestry.com to see whatever happened to John, while talking to MaryAnn last night, when the Obituary came up. She also sends her condolences. He was an amazing man! My husband, Ron, died Jan. 16th, 2013 after a long bout with Alzheimer's. I have so many wonderful memories that keep me going. Ron was a police officer, Sgt. and Inspector for 40 years. I have an extensive McCurdy family tree I would love to share. My sons are police Sgts. I would love to hear from you.
Kathy Runneals
07/09/2013
Sue and family, just saw the notice of John's passing... I remember the days fondly of being in your home and either sitting with you girls or having dinner and he was a WONDERFUL man.... Praying for peace to you all at this time of sadness... HUGS!!
Kate Longman Walker
06/28/2013
John was my basketball coach at MCC. What a lovely man he was, He taught me patience, which
believe me , was something I really needed back then.
My condolences to the family
Don Maze
06/26/2013
Su;
I'm sorry for your loss of John. John and I go back a long way in being colleagues in the MCC science department. He was a friendly and memorable fellow.
Lorraine and Ed Schultz
06/24/2013
Dear Su and Family, It's times like this that bring our pasts and our presents together, isn't it? My respect for John goes back years and years -- and it seems impossible that those years are in the past and not in the present! I envied John's spirit and his enthusiasm for everything, and I admired the genuine-ness that was always him.
John Richards
06/24/2013
Very, very sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a fine, fine man.
I was the Sports Editor of the Marshalltown Times-Republican when John started the MCC women's basketball program. I witnessed first-hand John's dedication when working with young people. He also helped peak my interest in coaching by asking me to assist him occassionally at practices. And some years later I actualy became the women's basketball coach at MCC.
In more recent years when I ran into John at sporting events in Des Moines he was always very friendly and willing to chat a while.
Jean Garner
06/24/2013
Su, My sincere sympathies go out to you and your family. I did not know John personally but it sounds like he was a great man. Take comfort in his relationship with the Lord. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jan & Leonard Stubbs
06/23/2013
Dear Su & Family,
Our sincere sympathy as you mourn the loss of John! He was a wonderful person and a dedicated Christian! May you feel the arms of Jesus holding you in the coming days.
Jeff and Anne Hepburn
06/23/2013
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew John as a fellow chemistry teacher. We ran into each other at many of the ChemEd conferences. My wife also had him for chemistry in Nursing school. His religious faith was clearly evident. He didn't just "talk the talk" but "walked the walK" . Outstanding human being that will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to your family.
Ed Jackson
06/23/2013
Su and family - I was very sorry to learn of John's passing. He was a pleasure to work with at MCC, and was a dedicated instructor, who was always upbeat and willing to help. When I think of John, I remember him wearing his white lab coat and drinking a Pepsi. My condolences go out to you during this difficult time.
Brenda Malott
06/23/2013
I had the pleasure of being one of Mr. McCurdys chemistry students at MCC. He was without a doubt one of the best teachers I had. So sorry to read his obit in the paper today; cherish your memories.
Shirley McAdon
06/22/2013
Su,
I was sorry to hear about the death of your husband John. As I read the obituary, I marveled at his remarkable life. I am thinking of you and your family at this sad time.
Marty Gerrietts
06/21/2013
Su, I am one of John's I Cub friends-Glenda and I gave him maple syrup from my family farm. He was a such a sweet man-maple syrup was a good gift for him. Know that we will all miss him and hope for your comfort. John has his.
Claude Sampson
06/21/2013
Deea Su and family:
Sorry for your loss. I taught with John at Iowa Christian Academy for several years (2002-04) Like John, I went to Iowa Christian as a retireee who tried to make a difference. We all try; John succeeded.
I knew John as kind, loving, decent man who loved the Lord and his students. God bless.
Neil Strawhorn
06/21/2013
BPHS 1963. I will remember Mr. Mc Curdy.