Joseph Ernest Currie Jr. (Joe), 92, of West End, died on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Dr. Currie was born March 25, 1931, the son of Joseph Ernest and Lovedy Jenette Currie of Jackson Springs. He grew up on the family farm in Jackson Springs with his two sisters, Sarah Currie Thompson and Nancy Currie Blue. He was predeceased by both his parents and sisters.
He graduated from West End High School in 1949 and was appointed permanent class president.
Dr. Currie was a graduate of NC State University in pre-veterinary studies and member of Phi Eta Sigma honor society. He graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College, cum laude, 1955, where he was a member of Alpha Psi fraternity and Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He met the “treasure of his life,” Nancy Anne Bates, of Rome, Ga., at the University of Georgia. They married and moved to Southern Pines, in 1955, where Dr. Currie spent his entire 44-year career as a veterinarian at Sandhills Veterinary Hospital on Midland Road (co-owner and then, owner).
He was presented the Distinguished Veterinarian award by NC Veterinary Medical Association in 1990. He was a member of the Board of NC Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA). He also chaired the NCVMA Committees on Ethics and Grievances and Continuing Education. He developed educational events leading to the formation of the NC Academy of Small Animal Medicine and served as the first Academy president. He was the first instructor of clinical pathology at Veterinary Technical program at Central Carolina Technical College, Sanford.
Dr. Currie was a member and president of Southern Pines Jaycees. Soon after its inception, he joined the board of the Humane Society of Moore County, where he served for many years. He was a member and chairman of the Moore County Board of Adjustment. In 2011, Dr. Currie was honored as Man of the Year by the Moore County Community Foundation.
Dr. Currie had been an active member of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church since 1955. He sang in the chancel choir for 62 years, served on the board of deacons, the session, as a youth adviser, Sunday School teacher, Stephen minister, chaired a capital campaign, and served on several staff search committees.
Dr. Currie was a member of the Moore County Choral Society for 32 years, serving as Board member and treasurer. He was a member of the founding committee of Sandhills Interfaith Hospitality Network (now Family Promise), where he served 6 years on the board of directors. He developed the Wheels to Work program providing donated vehicles to individuals without transportation to get to work. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
Dr. Currie was board member and treasurer of the NC Veterinary Research Foundation that established the facility that is now the Equine Health Center of NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He served on the board of directors of the Companion Animal Clinic Foundation, Inc. He oversaw final construction and equipping of the Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic of the Sandhills which he managed for 6 years.
Dr. Currie is survived by his wife Nancy; a daughter, Karen Currie Allen (Robert), of West End; a daughter, Amy Currie Parker (Craig), of Asheville; a son, David Ernest Currie, of Black Mountain; nine grandchildren, Kyle Lauchlin Parker and Logan McFee Parker, of Asheville; Jared Heyden Currie (Kathy), of Edmonds, Wash.; Micah Joseph Currie, Mary Kellyn Grace Currie, Joshua David Currie, Kayla Anne Currie, George Mark Currie and Hannah Yvonne Rose Currie, of Marion. In addition, he is survived by four step-grandchildren, Lynne Allen DiLello, of Silver Springs, Fla., Terri Allen Kavanaugh, of St. Louis, Mo., Oliver Reid Allen (Tonya), of Alachua, Fla.;, and Lana Allen Blankenship (Wayne), of Blackshear, Ga. He also leaves to cherish his memory beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
A service of Witness to the Resurrection and celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 10:30 a.m., in the sanctuary at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Southern Pines.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in memory of Dr. Joseph E. Currie Jr., to the BMPC Music Endowment Fund, 330 S. May St., Southern Pines, NC 28387.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.