The Rev. Dr. James (Jim) F. Curl died in his sleep early Sunday morning Aug 4, 2024 in Asheville, NC; he was 79 years old. Jim was born October 22, 1944 in Millen, and raised in Pembroke, GA. He graduated as valedictorian of the Bryan County Highschool Class of ‘62 and later earned a Bachelors of Arts from Davidson College in ‘66, a Masters of Arts in English from Northwestern University in ‘68, and a Masters and Ph.D in Counselor Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
He met his wife, Kathryn, in the summer of ‘64 while both worked at the Arlington Hotel in Kennebunkport, ME; he worked the front desk and she was a waitress. They were married in 1968 and had two sons.
In 1974, Jim and his wife Kathryn left Pitt for Alfred NY. Kathryn was an English teacher at Alfred-Almond High School, while Jim taught Counseling Education and Psychology at Alfred University. In 1985, Jim and Kathryn moved to Wellsville NY to find a larger house for their growing family. In addition to his teaching duties, he was Chapter Advisor of the Sigma Alpha Mu (ΣΑΜ) Fraternity at Alfred University and served as president of the Wellsville (NY) School Board.
Jim earned a Masters in Theology from University of the South at Sewanee in 2004. In 2005, Jim became Campus Chaplain for the Episcopal and Lutheran denominations at Alfred University. In 2007 Jim retired from the college and moved into ministry full-time leaving Wellsville NY for Asheville NC. Down south, Jim served as rector of St Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton, NC from 2008-2013.
He is reunited with parents William White Jr (d. 1968) and Margaret Curl (neè Durden) (d. 1975), brother William (Bill/Trey) White Curl III (d. 2016), and wife Kathryn Curl (neè Chatham) (d. 2023.) Jim is survived by two sons; James (David) Curl and Jason Curl; a daughter-in-law Rebecca; and three grandchildren, Adrienne Curley (neè Curl), Alex Curl, and Allison Curl.
A service will be held at St. Gabriel’s in Rutherfordton NC at 1 PM on August 31, 2024. Jim and his wife Kathryn will be buried in Swainsboro GA the next day, September 1. In his various capacities, professor or priest, Jim was always concerned with the betterment of others’ lives. He was known for a keen intellect, a good heart, and an eccentric sense of humor. Jim’s philosophy is found in this quote from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors and laugh at them in our turn.”
