Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

James F Curlee was born in Newcastle, WY to Jim and Ruth Curlee on October 5th, 1949. He graduated high school in Roundup, MT in 1967 at the age of 17. He took off on an adventure to Mexico, before joining the Navy. He spent the next four years serving his country on the USS Andrew Jackson submarine. When on leave, he would hitchhike home from the east coast to Montana.

Upon leaving the Navy, he returned to Roundup for several years, learning appliance and tv repair from his dad. He eventually took his mechanical knowledge and headed West to settle in Seattle, WA.

There he met the love of his life, Cheryl Steinle and they were married on June 21st, 1989. They enjoyed friends, music, art and occasional travel for 17 years till Cheryl’s passing in November of 2007. Sorrow engulfed Jim for a time, but eventually he discovered his personality fit a need on their HOA board. Some appreciated his directness and attention to details, others, not so much. Those who stuck around, knew his gruff, opinionated exterior concealed an empathetic interior for the downtrodden. He was a collector of anything that might be useful someday. Jim enjoyed building model planes, ships and cars. He had a memorable loud laugh that punctuated good friendships over shared food, card games or phone calls.

Jim passed away at home on September 19th, 2023 after a short illness of pancreatic cancer. He was preceded in death by his wife Cheryl, his parents, his brother Joey and nephews Fred and Jake. Friends near and far will always carry a memory and smile of Jim.

He is survived by his sisters, Brenda (Paul) Goffena and Linda (Albert) Picchioni. Nephews Domenic, Brandon, Joe, Spencer, Jeff; nieces Renee and Samantha, Great nephews Domenic (Dommy) and Davis and great nieces Clara and Violet. At Jim’s request, no services will be held.