Douglas Hester Curry

Douglas Hester Curry, a resident of the New Orleans area since 1965, died peacefully at his home in River Ridge Oct. 26. He was 83. He was a beloved husband, father of two daughters and grandfather of four.

Douglas was born in Memphis, TN, the son of Douglas Claude Curry and Myrtle Hodges Curry. He graduated from East High School and spent four years in the U.S. Navy where electronics was his interest. Following his military service, he attended the University of Memphis (then Memphis State) for two years and then transferred to the Georgia Institute of Technology. After a year at Georgia Tech, he married Dale Elaine Blair, also of Memphis, and they lived on campus for his remaining two years. He received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1965.

Doug and Dale, who were married for 57 years, then moved to New Orleans where he became a design engineer with The Boeing Company, then building the Saturn V booster rocket at Michoud Assembly Facility. His work centered on cameras that photographed the firing of the engines during construction, and he went to many early test firings as well as launches of the Saturn V at Cape Kennedy, Florida. The cameras led to the invention of the medical endoscope for viewing internal organs, and the space vehicle eventually landed the first man on the moon.

When Boeing left New Orleans, Doug and Dale wanted to remain in New Orleans, and Doug entered the field of television engineering, first at WYES-TV and then at WLAE-TV, for which he designed and outfitted the studio and at one time, served as general manager. He remained with the station until he retired at the age of 70.

The couple have been members of the St. Charles Ave. Presbyterian Church for many years. Doug served as a deacon and worked with Dale in The Program of Hope, a service of several Presbyterian churches providing weekly assistance to homeless and others in need in New Orleans. During his illness, which began in March, they enjoyed the church’s virtual services on Sundays.

They also attended the first Saints game and the first Jazz Fest and many thereafter. Doug was a major sports fan, especially of the Saints, and he loved playing golf with friends. He strongly supported LSU football except when they played Ole Miss, his wife’s alma mater. He loved to cook and for years was known for his slow-smoked Memphis-style barbecue and made-to-order breakfasts. He was still close to friends from Memphis and loved gathering with New Orleans buddies.

Doug was so proud of his girls and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents and sister, Betty Curry Bynon. Besides his wife, he leaves his daughters Jennifer Blair Curry Foss (Matt) and Elizabeth Lauren Curry Tarabour (Matt); his grandchildren, Matthew Thomas Foss II, Benjamin Douglas Tarabour, Blair Elizabeth Foss and Allison Dale Tarabour; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at St. Charles Ave. Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St., New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 30, at 2:30 p.m. with visitation starting at 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required. A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Garden of Memories Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Douglas Curry’s memory, to the Program of Hope, St. Charles Ave. Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St., New Orleans, LA 70118.

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