Reuben Curley, Sr., “Mr. Aloha”, one of our revered Navajo Code Talkers, died at age 96 on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at his home in Flagstaff, surrounded by the warmth and love of his family. Mr. Curley was born on July 10, 1916 at Bird Springs, Arizona to John and Nellie (Dixon) Nezzie. His Navajo paternal clan is Hashk’aanhadzohi’ (Yucca Fruit is Spread Out) and his maternal clan is Ashiihi (Salt). He was a well-known basketball player at Albuquerque Indian School and also in Texas, and he was a true horseman, but his love for the Lord was always predominant in his life. His service to the community was his faithful commitment of time and resources to the Flagstaff Mission to the Navajo’s.
Mr. Curley enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August of 1943, and served in World War II with the 2nd Marine Division and was a qualified rifle sharpshooter. He fought in combat in the battles of Tinian, Saipan, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa, also participating in the occupation of Japan. He received various medals and was also awarded a Purple Heart medal. During this time, his service to the Marine Corps was as a Navajo Code Talker. On July 26, 2001 the Navajo Code Talkers had the distinct honor of being recognized and awarded with a Congressional Medal, presented at the White House by President George W. Bush. Corporal Curley received an honorable discharge in January of 1946. He returned to Arizona after the war to work for the Navajo Army Depot for 45 years.
Mr. Curley is survived by his wife, Ardith Chase Curley of Flagstaff; daughters, Lena Wilson, Mary Jane Curley, Etta Curley, Helen Curley; sons, Reuben Curley, Jr., Luby “Curley”, George Curley; sisters, Girdie Hyjoe and Rosie Keams; 40 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Bruce Curley; sisters, Ora Curley, Vina Curley, Polly Curley; and brothers, Harris Curley, Tony Curley and Phillip Curley.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., with funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at the Greenlaw Baptist Church in Flagstaff, 3400 E. Lockett Rd. (corner of N. Fanning Drive and E. Lockett Rd). Burial will follow services at the Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff, Veterans Section, 1300 S. San Francisco St. Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Marine Corps, accompanied by the Flagstaff Veterans organizations, including the American Legion, Mark A. Moore Post #3, Veterans for Foreign Wars, San Francisco Peaks Post #1709, Marine Corps League, San Francisco Peaks Detachment #912, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Dale E. Crick Post #793 and the Scottish American Military Society, William C. Dunlop Post #2000.
Condolences may be sent directly to the family or expressed online at www.FlagstaffMortuary.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, a Veterans Funeral Care honored provider.
