John Collins McCurdy, age 92, of
Alderson, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday,
January 16, 2022.
Born July 30, 1929, at Lexington, VA, he was the son of the
late Collins Chaffin and Ruth (Fitzgerald) McCurdy. In
addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife
Pearl Butcher McCurdy, and a son, David Dare McCurdy.
John was a graduate of Alderson High School, Class of 1949.
After receiving his education in West Virginia and Virginia,
he began his career with the Federal Prison Service in
Ashland, KY. John later transferred to the Federal
Reformatory for Women in Alderson.
Except for a short transfer to
Petersburg, VA as a Training Manager, he spent his
entire career at Alderson before retiring in 1980 with
27 years of service. He remained active after retirement
with the federal prison system as a consultant.
During John’s career, he served as a guest instructor
for the F.B.I. Academy at Quantico, VA and U.S. Navy
Corrections in Norfolk, VA. He provided presentations
about these temporary assignments to the Central Office
of the Bureau of Prisons. He also conducted audits of
training programs at various institutions in addition to
being a hostage negotiator.
John was a member of the F.C.I. Alderson Rifle and
Pistol Team and the Southeast U.S. Regional Team. He
competed in the Attorney General’s match and was a
perennial member of the West Virginia State Pistol Team.
John served his community in many capacities during his
life. He was a former member of the Alderson City
Council and served multiple terms as the Town Recorder.
He also sat on the first Board of Directors for the
Renaissance Building Planners. John was active in youth
activities as well and was one of the first Little
League Baseball coaches in the area.
John was a member of Johnson Memorial United Methodist
Church and a member of the Alderson Masonic Lodge #70
AF&AM.
John is survived by his sons, Collins Bryan McCurdy and
his wife Doris, of Greenville and Robert Edward Lee
McCurdy and his wife Elaine, of Alderson; a grandson,
Patrick Collins McCurdy and his wife Pam, of Marlinton;
a great grandson, Garrett Collins McCurdy, of Fairmont,
a granddaughter, Emma McCurdy of Madison, Wisconsin; his
brother Sidney Lee McCurdy and wife Lora, of Hopewell,
VA and his sister Elizabeth Burch, of Lexington, VA; as
well as several loving nieces and nephews.
In keeping his wishes, John will be cremated, and a
memorial service will be held at a later date.
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We have lost a fine gentleman and philosopher. We almost shared time in Lexington as we were growing up. I am proud to have collected most of his letters to The Aldesonian, as "The McCurdy Chronicles.". How wonderful to have been his guest this past summer. Another one of my good old shooting buddies has been holstered.
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Bill Michelinie, Jr. · Jan 30, 2022
Here is another photo of John and Pearl I think it is a lovely one of two long time sweethearts.
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Bill Michelinie, Jr. · Jan 28, 2022
I hope this photo of John and Pearl visiting on our front porch comes through. We were reminiscing about old times with my mother Alice Mae and I was soaking it up like a sponge. Great memory.
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Bill Michelinie, Jr. · Jan 21, 2022
John and Pearl were my very good friends and wonderful people.
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James Thurmond · Jan 21, 2022
I am not able to get back to Alderson as I would like to, however John was always someone who always was glad to see me and go over old times.
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Neal and Debby Holliday · Jan 19, 2022
John was an awesome fella. WE worshiped with he and Pearl for years and found them to be simply great folks. Alderson and history has lost of the few great men.
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Barry Worrell · Jan 19, 2022
I didn't know John very well until I resurrected the Aldersonian on the internet in 1998. When I encourage Aldersonians to send me their stories and writings, John became one of our most prolific authors, with interesting pieces of his time working at the FCP and sharing his knowledge on the history of Alderson. When I was researching a certain subject, John was the go to guy. He also researched and authored a book called Methodism In Alderson, West Virginia.
Last time I saw him was at the alumni dinner in 2019. We didn't get a chance to talk much. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to thank him properly. Perhaps we'll see each other again one day.