Royce Alexander (Junior) Currie, from Calhoun Georgia, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Morning Pointe Assisted Living. Royce was born on July 14, 1929 in Anniston, Ala. He became an Eagle Scout in Troop 15, Boy Scouts of America. After graduation from Anniston High School, in 1946, he enlisted in the United States Army. The enlistment officer, noticing that Currie's father was deceased, dropped the "Junior" from his name. Currie went through basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., qualifying as a gun crewman, light artillery. He volunteered for the paratroops and was sent to Fort Benning, Ga., for training. He was then assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion, at Fort Benning. While there he was trained as a pathfinder, rifleman, radio operator and radio repairman. When the 501st was deactivated, in late 1947, Currie was transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he became a Sergeant, until the 22nd of August, 1949. He was accepted as a student by the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) but was advised to start Jacksonville State College due to the overcrowded conditions then at Auburn. Currie entered college in the fall of 1949, the Korean Police action began in 1950 and Currie, belonging to the Army reserves, was asked to work the year of 1951, as a civilian, installing radio equipment in Army tanks and scout cars, at Anniston Army Depot. He graduated from Auburn in 1953, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, later becoming a registered Professional Engineer, working with various jobs in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. His hobbies included, among other interest, becoming an amateur radio operator for K4BFL, in 1954; also a private pilot in 1967. Currie married Martha Ann Hughes (K4MQO) on Aug. 22, 1952 and they were happily married for 53 years, until her death, Feb. 8, 2006. Funeral services to celebrate the life of Royce Currie was conducted on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Reverend Donnie Lee Sills officiating. Burial followed in Fain Cemetery. The family received friends on Tuesday, July 18 from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour of 2 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home. You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Rome News-Tribune http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/royce-currie/article_f4d7ddfc-c4fe-5808-a444-caca9bc7c515.html
