John Collins McCurdy, age 92, of
Alderson, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday,
January 16, 2022.
Born July 30, 1929, at Lexington, VA, he was the son of the
late Collins Chaffin and Ruth (Fitzgerald) McCurdy. In
addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife
Pearl Butcher McCurdy, and a son, David Dare McCurdy.
John was a graduate of Alderson High School, Class of 1949.
After receiving his education in West Virginia and Virginia,
he began his career with the Federal Prison Service in
Ashland, KY. John later transferred to the Federal
Reformatory for Women in Alderson.
Except for a short transfer to
Petersburg, VA as a Training Manager, he spent his
entire career at Alderson before retiring in 1980 with
27 years of service. He remained active after retirement
with the federal prison system as a consultant.
During John’s career, he served as a guest instructor
for the F.B.I. Academy at Quantico, VA and U.S. Navy
Corrections in Norfolk, VA. He provided presentations
about these temporary assignments to the Central Office
of the Bureau of Prisons. He also conducted audits of
training programs at various institutions in addition to
being a hostage negotiator.
John was a member of the F.C.I. Alderson Rifle and
Pistol Team and the Southeast U.S. Regional Team. He
competed in the Attorney General’s match and was a
perennial member of the West Virginia State Pistol Team.
John served his community in many capacities during his
life. He was a former member of the Alderson City
Council and served multiple terms as the Town Recorder.
He also sat on the first Board of Directors for the
Renaissance Building Planners. John was active in youth
activities as well and was one of the first Little
League Baseball coaches in the area.
John was a member of Johnson Memorial United Methodist
Church and a member of the Alderson Masonic Lodge #70
AF&AM.
John is survived by his sons, Collins Bryan McCurdy and
his wife Doris, of Greenville and Robert Edward Lee
McCurdy and his wife Elaine, of Alderson; a grandson,
Patrick Collins McCurdy and his wife Pam, of Marlinton;
a great grandson, Garrett Collins McCurdy, of Fairmont,
a granddaughter, Emma McCurdy of Madison, Wisconsin; his
brother Sidney Lee McCurdy and wife Lora, of Hopewell,
VA and his sister Elizabeth Burch, of Lexington, VA; as
well as several loving nieces and nephews.
In keeping his wishes, John will be cremated, and a
memorial service will be held at a later date.
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