Jim Curran

Andrew James "Jim" Curran, Sr., age 79, of rural Paola, Kansas, died Monday, September 2, 2013 at Olathe Medical Center. Jim was born October 20, 1933 at Cherokee, Kansas. He was the youngest of three children born to Andrew Judge and Mary Naomi (Tharp) Curran. He grew up in Cherokee and graduated from Cherokee High School. Jim served his country with the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Loretta White in November of 1957. They became the parents of two children, Lori and Andrew. Jim was a wood shop teacher at Shawnee Mission Middle School and Shawnee Mission High School for ten years. He then ventured out on his own as a carpenter. He was a very talented craftsman, building many homes, furniture, and other woodcrafts. Jim married Maggie Taylor on May 1, 1993 at Osawatomie. Jim"s hobby was primarily woodworking. He enjoyed mowing and traveling. Jim also seemed to always enjoy the company of a canine companion; JR, Amos, Otie, and Frosty were some of his "Best Buds." He was preceded in death by his first wife Loretta who died of cancer in 1987, his parents, and two sisters Betty LaBombard and Judy Bates. He is survived by his wife Maggie of the home; daughter Lori Weber of Osawatomie; son Andrew Curran of Chittenango, New York; four step children Jeanette Mayhew of Olathe, Michael Taylor of Osawatomie, Scott Taylor of rural Paola, and Lisa Taylor of Osawatomie; five grandchildren Jimmy Weber, Nathan J. and Andrew J. Curran, Steven and Emily Flaum; 10 step grandchildren John Brett Mayhew, Michael, Logan, Hunter, and Braxton Taylor, Amanda Brown, Paige Taylor, Lindsay and Rachel Outler, and Hailey O"Dell; one great granddaughter Harper Harrington; many other relatives and friends. Memorials are to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital and can be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 605 O'Neal Ave., P. O. Box 280, Osawatomie, KS, 66064. To leave a special message for the family, please click the "Share Memories" button above.