Ernest Penson Curry, Jr., passed away on August 20, 2026 at the age of 85 in Brunswick, GA. He was born in Wilmington, NC, on May 22, 1941. Ernie spent more than 40 years in residential and commercial construction and real estate development on St. Simons Island, Atlanta, South Carolina, and North Florida.

Ernie was the eldest son of Ernest Curry and Kathryn Smith Curry. He graduated from North Mecklinburg High School in Charlotte, NC, and Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. Ernie was the first in his immediate family to attend college. He played football for Hampden-Sydney Tigers, and later coached three sons in youth football.

A kind-hearted soul who loved to do deals, he was happiest on the water, with family and friends, on Lake Lanier or around the Golden Isles. Ernie loved to sail and owned several vessels over the years but there was one legendary 13-foot Boston Whaler, a part memorable family adventures for years in waters from South Carolina to the Florida Keys. Ernie loved to travel and was always up for a trip; family skiing in Colorado at Christmas, California wine country exploring, a niece’s wedding in Nice, France, a barge trip through France, visiting friends in Australia, and so many more.

Ernie was captain of several blended families through the years and all six children are considered equal. There are no yours or mine; only ours, all loved. He is survived by his wife, Kay Pickard Curry; sons Chris Curry of Black Mountain, NC, Jon Curry (Rebecca) of Riverview, FL, Richard Curry of Atlanta; Win Carlisle and Michelle Carlisle Hagar (Tim) of Charleston, SC, and Blair Shiver (Michael Nealis) of Marathon, FL.; grandangels Beth and Hudson Curry, Felix Hagar, Amelia Nealis, Katie Curry Marshall (Sam), Sarah Curry (Tim Goggins), Mary Curry Morgan (Charlie); great-grandangels Charles and James Morgan. Other survivors include his sister Judy Phillips, nieces Garrett Phillips, Heather Curry Jourdan-Gassin (Mathieu), Brooke Curry Grey (Paul), and nephew Zac Curry. Other survivors include Diane Hunter Boyd, Sallie Curry (Louis) Hughes, and a dwindling number of Curry, Smith and Aylward family members. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brother Ronald Curry, Edna McCardle, and Judy Aylward Curry.

Ernie was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. A service will be held at St. Mark’s on Saturday, August 29, at 11:00am. The family is deeply grateful to the loving care provided by the nurses and staff of Georgia Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernie’s memory to Georgia Hospice, 1101 Fountain Lake Circle, Brunswick GA 31520, or to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1155, Brunswick GA, 31521.

Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home and Golden Isles Cremation Center were honored to assist the Curry family.