Well known Lebanon banker and community leader George Robert Curry, 84, well known Lebanon banker and community leader, passed away Friday, June 12, 2009, in his home.
He was born and raised in the Lebanon community and served his country faithfully in the United States Army during World War II. He then earned a degree in engineering from Missouri University.
In the late 1940s, George joined his father in the banking business at State Savings Bank. In 1969, the bank changed its name and location in Lebanon and became known as Central Bank. Throughout the years, Central Bank grew into one of the area’s most notable financial institutions with branches across Lebanon and in Conway. George held the positions of president, C.E.O. and chairman of the board during his 60-year career in banking.
George was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, the Lebanon Rotary Club, and a past president of the Missouri Banker’s Association.
He had served on the Lebanon R-III School Board and as a Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. He was a trustee for the Citizen’s of Lebanon and a member of the board of directors of Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.
He was preceded in death by his parents, I.T. and Ava Quigley Curry; his wife, Grace Beatrice (Hillme); a daughter, Chris Leigh Curry; and a brother, Tom Curry.
George is survived by a son, Craig Curry and his wife, Tracy, Lebanon; two daughters, Kathleen Copeland and her husband, Bill, Ozark, and Karen Espey and her husband, Michael, Shawnee, Kan.; three grandsons, Wesley and Austin Curry, and Sammy Espey; a number of nieces and nephews; his special girl, “Shadow”; and many other relatives and friends.
Services were at 2 p.m. Monday, June 15, in Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, with Pastor David Scott officiating. Burial was in Mount Rose Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions to Curry Cancer Center at a St. John’s Hospital in Lebanon or the Missouri Banker’s Foundation, may be made through Holman-Howe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 28, Lebanon, MO 65536.
