Melvin E. Curry Jr., 86, of San Diego, Calif., died April 10, 2020, at Alvarado Hospital. A native of Los Angeles, he was born Jan. 12, 1934, to Melvin E. Curry Sr. and Hilda (Derksen) Curry.
He obtained bachelor of arts and master of science degrees from San Diego State University in 1956 and 1964. He was a lifetime fan of SDSU athletics. He was an accountant with the San Diego County District Attorney’s office for 18 years until he retired in 1999. His career began at Control Data Corp., U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory and Ryan Aeronautical Co.
He served on the National Board of Delegates for Mennonite Disaster Service from 2012 to 2018, and when he died he was Southern California vice president for the California MDS Unit, having been involved in disaster relief support beginning with the Cedar Fire in 2003.
While living in Nebraska at age 9, he was credited with saving the life of his 3-year-old brother after he discovered a fire at the club where his father worked as a golf pro.
He became a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol program of the San Diego Police Department in 2010. Past president of the Harbor chapter of the Kiwanis club, he re-mained active in their support to his neighborhood Rolando Park Elementary School. He was a former officer of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of San Diego, and the Elks Club, and until 2019 was a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West.
He attended First Church of the Brethren during its confederation with San Diego Mennonite Church, of which he was a charter member. He was a longtime officer of San Diego Mennonite Church and served as treasurer.
He was divorced from Mary Phillips Curry and stepfather to Steve Phillips, who predeceased him in 2007 and 2008. He enjoyed visiting his mother’s hometown, Mountain Lake, Minn., and was best man for his closest cousin, Marlin Pankratz, who preceded him in death in 2014. He was also preceded in death by his brother, John Curry. Survivors include 10 maternal cousins.
Plans for a memorial service are pending.
