Michael Thomas Curran

Michael Thomas Curran, LPL Financial Advisor, Retired Air Force Pilot, of Maryville, Tennessee, passed away Feb. 24th, 2014. He was 72. Michael is now on Heaven's back porch, reading a great book, smoking a fabulous cigar, and waiting for the grandkids to call. Originally from Kansas City, Kansas, He graduated from Argentine High School, Kansas City, Kansas in 1959. Michael attended Emporia State Teacher's College, Emporia, Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1963. Additionally, he received three Master's Degrees to include an Master of Arts from University of Southern California and an MBA from Boston College. Mike was a lifelong learner fascinated with the Civil War, The American Indian experience, and the Westward expansion to California. He was quietly proud of his personal library. While attending Emporia State he met his wife of 49 years, Nancy Green. The two were married in a tastefully understated Midwestern ceremony in Arkansas City, Ks in 1964. Nancy and Mike proceeded on a grand adventure of 16 moves throughout the United States, Guam and Europe during Mike's career in the Air Force. There was never a dull moment in the Curran household. Their love of antiques, travelling, food and friends kept them busy at every destination and busy up until his passing. Mike was drafted in the US Air Force in 1963, where he was selected for Officer Training School, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Regular Air Force. His duty stations included numerous locations in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Maine, North Carolina, Arkansas, Thailand, Guam, and Belgium. In 1992, Lt Col Curran retired from the Air Force after 28 years of Service. Mike's accomplishments include 3500 hours of flying the B-52 Bomber and he flew 192 Combat Missions over Southeast Asia. These missions include the 1972 Linebacker II Christmas bombings. Additionally during Operation Linebacker II, Mike was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses for valorous actions during combat. Over his career Mike was also awarded the Air Medal (8 Awards) and the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards). Mike is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy, his daughter Megan, of Colorado Springs, Co., and son Patrick, of Bristow, Va. Mike has six active grand children that were the love of his life. His memorial service is scheduled for 4:00 pm, March 8, 2014, at Smith Trinity Chapel, Maryville, TN. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude's Medical Research at http://www.stjude.org/waystohelp. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithLifeandLegacy.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Michael Thomas Curran please visit our Sympathy Store.