J. Dean Mccurdy

At the age of 92 years, on October 9, 2012, J. Dean McCurdy left this mortal existence to continue his journey in the eternities. A celebration of his life will take place Saturday, October 13, at 2:00 p.m., with a visitation for family and friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Colonial Funeral Home, located at 2005 South 4th Ave., Pocatello, Idaho. For this celebration, please wear beautiful colors. Dean was born in Pocatello on May 24, 1920, to Charles and Erma McCurdy. Weighing four pounds at birth, he spent his first days in an oven. He attended Whittier Elementary School. Because he was small and "sickly" as a child, he was unable to play sports, which led him to seek solace in literature and music, which became two of his life passions. Dean graduated from Pocatello High School in 1939. He entered military service in June 1942 in the Army Air Corps, serving in World War II as a communications officer with the European division of the Air Transport Command. Dean married Melba Jacqueline Simpson on December 27, 1946. They spent most of their married life in Pocatello. They are the parents of six children: William James McCurdy, Maria Elena (David) Dahlquist, Jack Dean McCurdy, Rosalie Kirk, Steven Robert (Karen) McCurdy and Kevin Dan McCurdy. They have 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, sister Theda Crotts, brothers William, Charles, David and France, and grandchildren Rebekah, Jenny, Ryan and Sean Dahlquist. Dean earned certificates from Idaho State College in Radio and Television Curriculum. He worked at KEIO radio station (later KWIK), and at a regional electronics supply company. Most of his career was spent working at the Pocatello City Airport as an electronics technician for the F.A.A. He retired in 1983 after 29 and a half years of service. Dean found great joy in music--especially classical music--which he grew to love while attending concerts in London during the war and listening to selections on the BBC. When he was young, he was an accordionist in the country band Shorty and the Wranglers. He also played the organ and enjoyed live theater organ. Dean aspired to "be" rather than to "do" and spent his life seeking beauty, wisdom and the mysteries of God, and encouraged those around him to do the same. In his search, he studied philosophy, psychology, British and American literature, Eastern and Western mysticism, quantum physics and many other topics. He "took the road less traveled by" (Robert Frost), and practiced yoga and vegetarianism long before they were popular. He studied meditation and self-hypnosis, and sought to use natural and alternative cures for health rather than mainstream medicine. Dean will be remembered for entertaining us with the accordion ( The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down ), playing the organ, his green drinks (which he was always willing to share), his Santa beard, his dry wit and kindness.