James (Jim) Madison Curry was born in Fort Pierce, Florida, on June 1, 1935, to Woodrow and Neva Curry. As a young man, he worked in a neighborhood butcher shop and alongside his father on a shrimp boat, learning the value of hard work early in life.

After graduating from high school, Jim joined the Army National Guard, serving for one year before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1953. He loved working on the flight line and proudly served as a Jet engine mechanic/Maintenance Control. As he advanced in rank, he was selected for assignment with the USAF Thunderbirds at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. During his first tour with the team, he helped relocate the Thunderbirds from Luke AFB to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While stationed in Las Vegas, Jim met the love of his life, Darlene. They were married at the Little White Chapel on June 8, 1957. Together they shared 62 years of marriage before Darlene’s passing. They raised three children: Cheryll (Curry) Barton, Cynthia (Curry) DiFrancesca, and Chris Curry.

As an Air Force family, they traveled extensively and maintained close family ties from Florida to Washington State. Jim loved to travel and share new experiences with his family. He owned boats and taught his children how to swim and water ski, creating memories that would last a lifetime. One accomplishment he was especially proud of was getting up on water skis at the age of 80.

Jim made history as the first enlisted member to serve two tours with the USAF Thunderbirds. He traveled extensively with the team and remained deeply proud of his service and accomplishments throughout his life.

Following his time with the Thunderbirds, Jim was deployed to Ubon, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. Upon returning to the United States, the family was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico. The transition from a fast-paced military lifestyle to small-town living was a cultural shock, but one the family embraced wholeheartedly.

Rodeo became a central part of their lives, and Jim and Darlene founded the CC Riders youth group at their boarding stables. Together they proudly participated in parades and fairs, carrying the red, white, and blue. They hosted play days at their stables, supported the Equestrian Special Olympics team, and created countless memories with friends, family, and the community they loved.

In 1975, Jim moved his mother from Florida to Clovis so she could be closer to family, a decision that brought him great joy. When the Air Force later offered him a transfer back to Florida, the family discussed the opportunity and agreed they wanted to remain in Clovis until the children graduated. Jim chose family over relocation and retired from the United States Air Force on August 31, 1975.

After retirement, Jim worked at the Clovis Airport while attending college, earning a degree in Business Management. He explored several career paths, including a position with Doc Stewart, before returning to his roots in the butcher business. He worked alongside Bill Adams at Poor Boys Butcher Shop for seven years, later joined CC Distributors for three years, and eventually returned once more to Poor Boys Butcher Shop.

In the early 2000s, Jim was finally able to return to Florida, where he took his mother back home to be with his father.

He was a proud member of the Azalea Region Antique Automobile Club. He was also a contented cruiser, sailing with his wife and family to Europe, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. He remained in Florida until 2022.

Throughout his life, Jim embraced every chapter with purpose—from serving his country and making history with the Thunderbirds to raising a family, building lifelong friendships, and investing in his community. He leaves behind a legacy measured not only by his accomplishments, but by the people he loved, the values he passed on, and the memories he created along the way.

Those who knew Jim will remember a man who never met a stranger. He had a way of making people feel welcome, turning conversations into friendships and ordinary moments into lasting memories. Whether on the flight line, at the stables, behind the butcher counter, or gathered around family and friends, Jim brought warmth, humor, and a steady presence to those around him. He led by example, showed up when people needed him, and left every place he lived a little better because he was there.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Darlene, and his daughter, Cynthia DiFrancesca.

He is survived by his children, Cheryll (Robert) Barton and Chris (Valerie) Curry, Terry DiFrancesca; his grandchildren, Kristy (Steve) Sartain, Michelle (Mike) Mulligan, Melissa (Jimmy) Huffman, Shane (Aliccia) Curry, Stephen (Alli) Curry, and Pamela (Adrian) Collins; and his great-grandchildren, Madison Harmon, Shaylei Huffman, Aidan Sartain, Easton Huffman, Isabella Curry, Zachary Curry, Banks Curry, and Brooks Curry.

Though his family miss him deeply, they find comfort knowing he is reunited with Darlene, and that somewhere beyond the horizon, they are together once again.