James Andrew "Jim" Curran

James Andrew "Jim" Curran, 93, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2013, in his home at Country View Senior Care with his family by his side.

He was born on June 3, 1920, in Stevensville, to Flossie Howard and Robert H. Curran. His family moved to Missoula when he was 6 years old, where he attended Prescott Elementary and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1938. He participated in sports in high school; track was a favorite. As a young boy, he loved riding his horse, Rex, from Missoula to his grandmother's home in Evaro.

In July of 1941, Jim hired out as a fireman for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Jim and Josephine "Jo" Kuney were married on Dec. 31, 1941. They were married for 60 years. He took leave from the railroad to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. While overseas he became ill with yellow jaundice. Because the hospital beds were needed for the wounded soldiers, he was sent back to the States to recover. This led him to Arizona for training with the 736 Tank Battalion. It was called the "Kid Battalion" because the men were so young. Jim was considered old because he was 22. The training camp was highly secretive, as a historian stated; they were introduced to the most powerful tank in the American arsenal during World War II.

While serving, he was promoted to sergeant. Serving under General Patton, Jim recalled that at end of the war, the General said, "when you get back to the States and they say, they worked 24 hours a day, you tell them you worked 25 hours a day!" Jim and Jo attended many of the 736 Army Reunions throughout the years and cherished those close friendships. Jim attended his last Army reunion in Flagstaff, Ariz., at 90 years old.

In 1945 he returned to his family in Missoula and to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which later became the Burlington Northern. While overseas his first son Doug was born; he was 18 months old before Jim could see him. He was promoted to an engineer with the railroad and was highly respected. He was always quick to say you "run" trains, you don't drive them! Jim was proud to hold the number one seniority position in the state for quite some time.

He continued his friendships with his railroad "Buddies" throughout his retirement, meeting weekly for social time and breakfast. Jim was a life member of the American Legion Hellgate Post No. 27, where he served terms as Post Commander and District Commander. He participated in the Color Guard for many years. He was a life member of the VFW and held the state office of Grand Chef DeGrande in the 40 & 8.

Jim had a passion for exercise; he walked to work for many years. In retirement at age 74 he became "Mr. Competitor." He participated in the YMCA Bank Run for 18 years, until he was 91; Spokane's Bloomsday Run for 16 consecutive years, until he was 89 years old; and the Montana Senior Olympics, where he set state records in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter races at 90 years old. The Bloomsday Run soon became a family gathering place with Montana, Oregon and Idaho families. This run also became a four generational family running event. "Grandpa Jim" was the inspiration to all involved. He finished a number of times in the top five or 10 of his age group. After qualifying in the Montana Senior Olympics, Jim, at 85 years old, traveled with his son Tom, to the National Senior Olympics in Pittsburgh.

In retirement, Jim made many friends while delivering Meals on Wheels and while driving cars for local car dealers. Jim and Jo enjoyed the family cabin at Seeley Lake, where there were many large family gatherings. Jim enjoyed fishing, water skiing, in addition to teaching and pulling many first-time water skiers. Jim loved the Griz and the Lady Griz. He was known for his love of life, his sense of humor and he was proud of his Irish ancestry. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his children, son and daughter-in-law James Douglas "Doug" and Jackie Curran of Lake Oswego, Ore.; daughter, Gail Olomon of Missoula; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas "Tom" and Sue Curran of Sherwood, Ore.; son Robert "Rob" Curran of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; grandchildren, Carmel and Peter McMinn of Portland, Ore., Jennifer Curran of Thompson Falls, Ty Olomon of Missoula; Angie and Rob Hastin of Sherwood, Paul and Amy Curran of Portland, Steve and Ayrinn Curran of Sherwood, Brandon and Lacey Curran of Gig Harbor, Wash., Matthew and Carrie Curran of Hamilton; great-grandchildren, Aicia Curran, Gavin and Rachel McMinn, Breanna, Tyler and Ryan Hastin, Chance and Kylan Curran, Jackson James, Julia and Matthew Curran, Isaac, Rachel and Caleb Curran and Jordon Thomas James Curran; his sister Edna Elwell of Seattle; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Russ and Hazel Kuney of Colleyville, Texas.

Jim had many loved nieces and nephews and special persons who adopted him as Dad or Grandpa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo; his parents and his sisters, Francis Brouelette and Marie Hartman.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Missoula and Country View Senior Care for their loving care, as Jim was approaching his last days with Parkinson's disease. Thank you to all of the wonderful caretakers in Missoula who over the years assisted with his care and enrichment of his life.

Memorials in his honor may be sent to the American Legion Baseball Field Fund or the National or Michael J. Fox, Foundations for Parkinson's disease.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Nov. 22. Details for the time and place follow in the paper at a later time.

Read James Curran's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.