Joe

Cureton

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Joe Cureton

Dec 10 1921 - Mar 14 2011

Joe Cureton passed away on Monday afternoon, March 14, 2011 at Baylor Medical Center surrounded by his family. Born December 10, 1921 in Meridian, TX (Bosque County), he attended the University of Texas at Austin and married Lauriece “Suity” Cureton in 1945. The couple moved to Pecos in 1950 and then to Whitewright in 1959, where they resided for the rest of their lives. Joe was loved: unabashedly, unconditionally and very deservedly by his family, his community and his friends. His kindness and good-nature permeated everything he did and everyone he knew. He came from a long line of Texan pioneers; his great grandfather was a Texas Ranger, his grandfather was one of the first cattle drivers in the state, his uncle was Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court and his father was a prominent lawyer. Joe worked as an electrical engineer for the Northeast Division of Texas-New Mexico Power Company from 1946 until his retirement in 1983. In the spirit of his ancestors Joe felt a strong sense of civic responsibility and had a gift for story-telling. He was former president of the Whitewright Chamber of Commerce, Whitewright Rotary Club, Whitewright Ambulance Service and served on the Grayson County Airport Board and the Whitewright Beautification committee. He sat on the Whitewright city council for many years before serving as mayor and was selected as Citizen of the Year in 1989. He taught Dale Carnegie courses, assisted with the Boy Scouts and was a natural born coach. After studying electrical engineering at the University of Texas Joe started teaching and coaching high school football and basketball at Meridian High School. He met his wife Suity on the court when she played for Clifton Junior College. They were married 64 years. Later in life Joe travelled all across the country with his grandsons, Chris and Tim Cureton, escorting them to golf tournaments and offering his limitless patience and encouragement. Perhaps the biggest Texas Longhorns fan that ever lived, he rarely missed a game, whether he was driving around with his buddies listening to the radio or watching on T.V. alongside a loyal beagle. He was an active member of First Methodist Church of Whitewright for over 50 years. For Joe supporting the church was as regular and enjoyable as his daily breakfasts at C.J.'s Cafe in Whitewright, where he never passed up the good company and the grits. Joe loved to travel and experience the world. He and Suity spent the better part of their retirement visiting far reaches of the globe on 26 different cruises. While his keel was even and comforting, Joe never shied away from a thrill. He loved roller coasters, jalapeños and perhaps most of all, his tall, red-headed wife Suity, who was never one for a dull moment. Joe saw the better part of the 20th century unfold and remarkably, remembered it all. It was a rare and precious gift for his family and friends to hear him talk about his life. He was loved and will forever be missed. He is survived by his two children; Will Cureton of Dallas, TX and Traci Peckham of Georgetown, TX, as well as his four grandchildren, Michelle Peckham of San Fransisco, CA, Chris Cureton of Dallas, TX, Tim Cureton of Steamboat Springs, CO and Emily Cureton of Marfa, TX, his two great grandchildren, Cameron and Riley Cureton of Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lauriece “Suity” Cureton, his parents, Hugh and Marie Cureton and his brothers, Bill and Jack Cureton. Funeral services will be held in Whitewright at noon on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the First Methodist Church of Whitewright. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday, March 18 from 6-8pm at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, Whitewright, Texas. Memorial donations may be given to the First Methodist Church, PO Box 1007 Whitewright, TX 75491.

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