Leonard "Dutch" Oney Curry

Leonard "Dutch" Oney Curry, 92, Nevada, Mo., passed away Oct. 23, 2014, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center, in Nevada, following an illness of several months. Leonard was born May 17, 1922, in Vernon County, Mo., near Bellamy, to Denver Oney and Bertha Ellen (Rapp) Curry. He was united in marriage to Nancy Ellen Brown on Oct. 19, 1946, in Kansas City, Kan., and she preceded him in death on July 27, 1981.

At a young age, Leonard's family moved to Sheldon and then later to Milo where he was raised. He attended Nevada High School and graduated from there. Following high school, Leonard served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944-46, in the ARD7 Ship Wreck Unit in the South Pacific. After the service he returned to Vernon County and in 1952 started his own business, Modern X-Ray Company. Leonard traveled the United States providing Industrial X-Ray Inspection Services for pipeline companies. He was also in inventor who obtained numerous patents relating to the industrial x-ray field.

Leonard lived most of his life in Vernon County and was involved in his community in many ways including being the Mayor of Milo from 1965 to 1977, was an original board member of the Milo Fire Department and the Milo Water Board, past president of Industrial X-Ray Society, and was an active supporter of the Vernon County Youth Fair Board. He was a member of various organizations including, life-time member of VFW Post 2175, Nevada, Nevada Elks life-time member, Nevada Eagles, VFW Stockton, Mo., Sheldon Masonic Lodge 50-year member. Leonard also enjoyed flying, playing pool, hunting, horse racing and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, David and his wife, Sibyl, Celina, Texas, and Don and his wife, Gillian, Nevada; three daughters, Sue Hughes and her husband, Bob, Nevada, Ronda Curry and her husband, Don Donnelly, Colchester, Vt., and Cathy Post and her husband, Dan, Oklahoma City, Okla.; grandchildren, Kendra Curry, McKinney, Texas, Kristin Villegas and her husband, Joseph, Celina,Texas, Christopher Curry and his wife, Nicole, Belton, Mo., Lara Hughes, Milo, Lincoln Hughes and his wife, Trinnade, Nevada, Matt Donnelly and his wife, Molly, Snowmass Village, Colo., Tomas Curry McClain and his wife, Crissy, Arvada, Colo., Jay Post and his wife, Andrea, Guthrie, Okla., Lindsey Post, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Cassie Drake and her husband, Jason, Owasso, Okla.; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Winstor Curry and his wife, Louise, San Antonio, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Edwynna Curry, Portage, Wis., and Mildred Brown, Joplin, Mo.; and numerous nephews and nieces. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Clifford Curry; one grandson, John David Curry; and one granddaughter, Abigail Donnelly.

A private family graveside service with military honors will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Milo Cemetery, in Milo, with the Rev. David Curry officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in Leonard's memory to the Logan David Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy -- in honor of Leonard's great-grandson, Logan, in care of Ferry Funeral Home.