Lynn Ralph Curry, 72

Lynn Ralph Curry, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died March 27, 2024, at 72 years of age. He died at home, surrounded by his family. For five years, Lynn bravely battled a rare neurodegenerative disease called corticobasal degeneration. 

Lynn was born in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 28, 1951, to Billee Sears and Ken Curry. He grew up in Morgan City, La., graduating from Morgan City High School in 1969. Lynn went to Louisiana State University, graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1974. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Lynn joined Brown & Root in Houston, Texas, and then joined Bechtel Corporation in 1980 in San Francisco, Calif. With Bechtel, he moved his family to Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Richland, Wash. While in Richland, he finished his career with Washington Closure Hanford in 2017. Upon retirement, Lynn and Sara moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to be closer to family.

Lynn met Sara M. Allen (of North Platte, Neb.) in San Francisco in 1980. Shortly before their wedding in 1981, Lynn was diagnosed with sarcoma and was hospitalized for treatment at St. Joseph’s Hospital of Houston, undergoing Dr. John Stehlin’s experimental chemotherapy treatment plan. Lynn lived cancer-free his whole life and never took a day of his productive life for granted. Lynn and Sara had a beautiful marriage of 42 years. They adored their three children, Rebecca, Caitlin and Andrew, and delighted in their four young grandchildren, Michael and Margaret Siemers and Rhodes and Finnegan Curry. 

Throughout the years, wherever they lived, Lynn and Sara opened their home to their many friends and family. Lynn loved to run and hike, and his last half-marathon was at 60 years of age. His passions included cooking, gardening, decorating, and enjoying new restaurants. He loved attending his children’s many sporting and school events. He was an avid supporter of LSU and University of Washington sports. Lynn and Sara traveled, enjoying trips across the United States and Europe. A favorite and repeated trip was to the Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans, La. Lynn was passionate about people, places and events.

Lynn made time to serve God in the Episcopal churches where they lived in Alameda, Oak Ridge and Richland. His involvement included serving with the Vestry, the Stephen Ministries and Lay Reading Eucharistic Ministers. He also volunteered his time with many community organizations, including the Hospice Ministry.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Billee and Ken, his in-laws, Bette and Bruce Allen, his niece, Casey Cutrera, and brothers-in-law, Ward Hayes and Mike Allen. Lynn is survived by his beloved wife, Sara; daughters Dr. Rebecca (Dr. John) Siemers of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Caitlin Curry (Tyler Perrella) of Mercer Island, Wash.; and son Andrew (Katie) Curry of Deer Park, Wash. Other survivors include sisters Debbie Hayes of Fayetteville, Ark., and Nancy (Randy) Carrillo of Beaufort, S.C., and their families. Lynn is also survived by Sara’s large extended family and his many loving friends. 

The family would like to thank the excellent medical staff at Kootenai Health, Crest Home Health, and Hospice of North Idaho. A private family service will be held soon. Memorials in Lynn’s name may be given to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (501 E. Wallace Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814), Kootenai Health Foundation, Inc. (2271 W. Ironwood Center Drive, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814) and Tubbs Hill Foundation (P.O. Box 3061, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816). The family will have a private service in celebration of Lynn.