Jackson Daniel Currie

Jackson Daniel "Jack" Currie, 98, of Pine Bluff died Thursday, March 5, 2015. Born September 26, 1916 in Winchester (Drew County), Arkansas, a son of the late Herman C. and Maysel Walls Currie, his family moved to Pine Bluff where he graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1934. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville for three years. During his school years there, he worked at the Washington Hotel, then later as assistant manager of the Chisca Hotel in Memphis. In World War II, Jack served in the United States Army for three and 1/2 years, including service in the Sixth Armored Division, Patton's Third Army, in the European Theatre. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Bronze Star for heroic service. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict in 1950, serving 21 months in Korea. After WWII he entered the insurance business in Pine Bluff. A commercial underwriter, he worked with E.B. and F.R. Bloom General Agency for twenty years, for Means and McLellan for a number of years, and retired from Hoffman-Henry Insurance in 1983. A member of First Presbyterian Church since 1925, the former deacon was active in committee work for many years and is thought to be the longest consecutive period church member. He was the great-grandson of Dr. Shelby Currie, one of the original founders of First Presbyterian in Pine Bluff in 1848. There has been a Currie family member of his church since 1848. He is preceded in death by three brothers and two nephews, Herman Carlton Currie Jr. Thomas Trimble Currie, John Bellfield Currie, Thomas Trimble Currie, Jr. and John Bellfield Currie Jr. His survivors include two nephews and six nieces, Herman Carlton Currie, III of Houston, Texas, William Jackson Currie of Wilmot, Ark., Dorothy Currie Sweeton of Wimberly, Texas, Mildred Currie Watson of Seguin, Texas, Mary Virginia Currie of Wilmot, Martha Currie Green of Covington, La., Laura Currie Bailey of Hernando, Miss., and Catherine Currie Hutchison of Memphis, Tenn.; cousins, Neill Moore Sloan of Lake Village, Ark., John Currie Sloan of Little Rock; and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews. Services are Wednesday, March 11, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Susan Carter Wiggins and Reverend Davis Bailey officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 p.m. Wednesday until service time. Private committal services follow by Ralph Robinson & Son. Memorials are requested to First Presbyterian Church, 717 West 32nd, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.