John William McCurdy

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.

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