Captain Ronald “Ron” James Curlee, beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, and great uncle passed away in the morning of Thursday, December 3, 2015, at the age of 68 at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. He was born October 12, 1947, in Shelbyville, Tennessee to Thurman and Catherine Curlee. He spent his childhood years in Shelbyville, Tennessee hunting, fishing, and working in his uncle’s horse barns. He moved to Huntsville Alabama in 1968 to pursue a career in law enforcement. He served as Homicide Investigator for the City of Huntsville for approximately ten years, graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and then served as Captain of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department for approximately twenty years, serving under Sheriff Joe Patterson and Sheriff Joe Whisenant. After retiring from the police force, Ron spent his retirement years camping, fishing, hunting, watching Auburn football, and spending time with his son and grandchildren. He was a member and faithful attendee of Plainview Church of Christ in Hazel Green, Alabama. His son, Chase Curlee, remembers his father always encouraging him by saying, “Just be a leader.” He is survived by his son, Chase Curlee of Huntsville and daughter-in-law, Brooke Curlee of Huntsville; Grandchildren: Lincoln and Analee Curlee of Huntsville; his former spouse, mother of his son and friend: Judy Curlee of Huntsville; sister: Janice Curlee Robertson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; brother-in-law: Larry Robertson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; two nieces, two nephews, six great nieces and nephews; his beloved two Springer Spaniels: Tuff and Little Bit; and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman and Catherine Curlee of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 12:00-2:30 at Plainview Church of Christ in Hazel Green, Alabama with a memorial service to follow. Officiating will be Pastor Steve Hale of Plainview Church of Christ. The Madison County Sheriff’s Department’s Honor Guard will conclude the memorial. He will be laid to rest beside his mother and father at Old Orchard Cemetery in Petersburg, Tennessee within a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to the TL Blakemore Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Law Enforcement Lodge 6 Memorial Fund. He will be missed, celebrated, and remembered in the lives of everyone who knew him. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.
