Charlie Byron McCurdy, 95, of De Leon, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2015.

He was born January 15, 1920, in De Leon, to Charlie Horton McCurdy and Rosa Pendagrass McCurdy. Charlie married Velma Lois Hattox in 1938 in De Leon.

Charlie was baptized many years ago at First Baptist Church of De Leon. He was self-employed in the peanut industry for many years. He loved to work. He had many trades which included inventing machinery for the peanut industry, well drilling, welding, building rigs, building peanut shellers and truck lifts. He was extremely gifted at restoring old water well drills, especially the Ft. Worth Spudder that is currently on display at the Comanche County Historical Museum. Charlie loved to travel. He made several trips to Alaska where he would take scenic flights exploring the Alaskan landscape. He raised catfish and wild game birds, and he loved to exhibit his longhorn cattle. He also enjoyed the opera, classical music, and was self-taught in fluent Spanish. He enjoyed playing bass fiddle and even recorded an album with Joe Bass and the Double Mountain Boys Bluegrass.

He is survived by his son, Rodgers McCurdy and wife, Betty; grandchildren, Anita Stodghill, Jeff Storey and wife, Misty, and Johnny Storey and wife, Christy; great-grandchildren, Gary Satterwhite, Mike Stodghill, Jase Storey, Justin Storey, Madison Storey and Jaden Storey; numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife; parents; grandson, Barry McCurdy; brothers, Inzer McCurdy, Johnny McCurdy, Guy McCurdy and Author McCurdy; and sisters, Ida Griffith, Gladys Griffith, Rosa Lee Hull and Faye Daniels.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 6, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Nowlin Anders Funeral Home with Brother Jackie Auvenshine officiating. Graveside services followed in De Leon Cemetery.