Mourning Rev. Curry
Pastor’s death comes midst church’s 75th year celebration

GUILDERLAND — The night before he died, Reverend Kenneth Curry baptized his grandson, Ian.

This, his last official act as pastor of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guilderland, was performed while he lay in bed, dying of liver cancer.

He died the next day, on Oct. 17, 2006, with both of his sons and their wives at his bedside as they read passages from the Bible to him.

Rev. Curry was diagnosed with liver cancer just 17 days earlier.

His death came after almost five years to the day of accepting his calling to the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on Western Avenue. Rev. Curry was installed on Oct. 14, 2001. Congregates coped with the loss of their pastor as they celebrated the church’s 75th anniversary.

The strong and faithful of Rev. Curry’s congregation do not mourn his death; instead, they celebrate his life.

Through death comes new beginnings, said Associate Pastor Russell J. Craig.
"We had a funeral on Friday, and a baptism on Sunday," Rev. Craig said about the weekend of Rev. Curry’s funeral services. "If anything says Christianity, it’s the eternal cycle of life."

Rev. Craig is now acting as pastor at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, even though his original plan was to wait another two years when he could retire at age 55 from his work for New York State. By then, Rev. Curry would have been nearly 70 and would himself have been ready to retire.
"However, He had other plans," said Rev. Craig.
"I have been on and off, filling in for other congregations. This was not in the plans," said Rev. Craig. "We had our plans, but God has plans of his own. If you really want to make God laugh, say, ‘Lord, here’s my plan.’"You have to plan for the future, but ultimately the plans are not in our hands."

A life of love

Rev. Curry was loved by his congregation and his family, and was described by Rev. Craig as a kind and gentle individual who was a wonderful servant of God with a special place in his heart for the sick and the elderly.

He was born in Michigan in March of 1939 to the late John and Esther Curry, one of three sons. His brother, Gary survives him. His brother, John, died before him.

Rev. Curry received his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and then served in the active Navy Reserve from 1963 to 1969. During that time, in 1967, he met his future wife, Shirley. They were married for 39 years.

The couple had two sons, Timothy and David. Timothy and his wife, Elizabeth, and David and his wife, Lauren, survive him along with grandsons, Jacob and Ian.

Rev. Curry received his masters of divinity degree in 1971 from Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Ill., and then later that year was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. During his 35 years of ministry, Rev. Curry served congregations in Melcher and Lacuna, Iowa, as a Navy Reserve chaplain in Youngstown, N.Y., and then, for the past five years, as pastor at the Lutheran Church in Guilderland.
"He was enlisted in Vietnam and he was also a chaplain and on active duty until 1989," said Mrs. Curry. "He enjoyed it, he went all over the world."

He didn’t fight, of course, said Mrs. Curry, but, as a lieutenant colonel, he would visit active chaplains at their bases for a couple of weeks at a time.
"He worked with officers and he would go on house visits, too," said Mrs. Curry. "He also worked with the Red Cross for many years"He helped sailors get home to their families if there was an emergency, and he checked up on those who were lying by calling hospitals and funeral homes.
"He also really enjoyed bird watching and hiking," Mrs. Curry said. "He would go hiking with his sons near Yellowstone Park."
Mrs. Curry described her husband’s death as "really quite sudden," and said that it is a difficult time for her and her family.

Although he served as pastor in Guilderland for only five years, his congregation has many fond memories of his tenure.
"He was not the most outgoing person, but he was one who had a caring spirit and tremendous willingness to impart all of the teachings of the Bible," said Richard Griessel, a long-time member of the Lutheran Church. "He went out of his way to help people understand the teachings."

The congregation’s president agrees.
"His main interest was in the spiritual life of the congregation. Some pastors are much more into the running of the church"He was more interested in the spiritual well-being of the congregation," said Allen Fike.
Describing Rev. Curry as "accessible," Fike said, "He was excellent about visiting the sick and shut-ins of the congregation."

Rev. Curry’s successor also described him as a man of his people.
"He was a very calming influence. He gave stability to the congregation because they knew their pastor was there for them," said Rev. Craig. "Everyone liked him, he was a mellow, quiet sort of man"He kept people on an even keel and looking to the future.

Rev. Curry was the seventh pastor of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, and he was installed by Dr. David H. Benke, president of the Atlantic District. Dr. Benke also delivered the eulogy during Rev. Curry’s funeral service as well as the following Sunday’s service.
"He will be missed for his extreme caring attitude," Mr. Griessel said. "He always praised the congregation for coming to church and being a part of the community."
"Flash from sorrow to joy"

Rev. Curry’s death came only days before a planned banquet commemorating the congregation’s 75th year of worship. Dr. Benke came to Guilderland for the festivities, but ultimately played a more somber role when news of Rev. Curry’s death spread to the congregation.
"July was the actual anniversary, but year-long celebrations have been taking place. This was culminating into the Oct. 22 banquet with a special commemorative service. But, of course, he died that week," said Mr. Griessel. "We were left with what to do"but it was too late to cancel all of the arrangements.
"It was a sorrowful event and a celebration of the church," Mr. Criessel continued. "It was just two gigantic differences in the mood which had to flash from sorrow to joy."

The celebration of the church still went on the Sunday following Rev. Curry’s Friday funeral, because, according to many in the congregation, that’s the way he would have wanted it.

Rev. Craig told The Enterprise that not everyone has yet coped with Rev. Curry’s death, but the congregation is trying to focus on celebrating Rev. Curry’s life rather than mourning their loss.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Mr. Fike said, "We try to celebrate his life, but it doesn’t always work out that way"Congregational members are generally very close to their pastor."

Congregates say they look forward to having Rev. Craig lead their church.
"We’re looking forward to having him as pastor. He’s been a deacon for a number of years and has filled in a number of times," said Mr. Fike. "We have a history with Russ Craig."

Rev. Craig said he is ready to accept the challenge of leading the church while he works for the state until he can devote his full attention to the congregation after retiring in two years.
"Right now, I’m still technically an associate pastor," said Rev. Craig. "In our church, there has to be a formal call to install a new pastor."

When that time comes, Rev. Craig said, if the congregation wants him as its pastor he will accept the call.
"We’ll see what happens next. With the trust of God, I’m looking forward to the adventure," concluded Rev. Craig.

Mrs. Curry, who is currently staying with family in Detroit, Mich., where Rev. Curry was buried last week with full military honors, said she is coming back to her Guilderland home next week, but she is unsure if she will stay in the area or reside with other family members.
"He was a good servant of God, and he loved his people," Rev. Craig said. "I know I have to follow his footsteps in this."

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Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1500 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203, or the Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141.