Edward John Currier
Marriages
Margaret Evelyn Carns - June 8, 1952
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B Obituary - March 15, 2017
Edward John Currier
February 28, 1926 - March 11, 2017
Edward John Currier was born in Grand Junction, Colorado to Lucius and Florence Currier. He lived his early years on the family farm in the Appleton area north of town. He grew up cultivating and irrigating corn and alfalfa, also helping his father herd cattle on the desert and family land in Collbran.
Ed graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1943, and
continued to work on the farm until he was drafted into the
Army in 1945. His unit trained for the invasion of Japan, but
after the bomb was dropped was instead sent to Germany, where he worked in the occupational forces.
Private Currier returned to the farm and Collbran ranch after
his service, fixing fence and herding cows. During this time he
met Margaret Evelyn Carns, who lived on the land neighboring
the Currier ranch. They were married on June 8, 1952, and she
remained the love of his life for over 64 years until his passing.
After marrying Margaret, Ed completed his Bachelor of
Science, Civil Engineering degree from the University of
Colorado, Boulder. He embarked on a career that would take
him around the world. He began work as an engineer for the
City of Los Angeles, designing drainage features for the rapidly
expanding freeways. He longed to return to Colorado, accepting
a job with the Bureau of Reclamation Denver office in 1956,
where he helped design features for Glen Canyon Dam, also
serving as a field engineer for construction of Palisades Dam in
Idaho.
In 1958, he began work with the global firm Tipton and
Kalmbach, Inc. In 1960, he was assigned to direct a team of
engineers in Lahore, Pakistan, moving there with his wife and
three young children. While there, he operated a hydraulics and
sediment testing lab and designed features for a vast irrigation
canal network linking together the five main tributaries of the
Indus River.
In 1963, the family returned to Denver. Longing to return to
his roots, the family moved to Grand Junction in 1964, where he
began working for Western Engineers. In his over 30 year
history with Western, he became President and General
Manager. During his tenure, Western designed many local and
regional projects, including Ute Water delivery systems, Jerry
Creek reservoir, Taylor Draw reservoir, and work in Arizona for
Interstate 10 and the Central Arizona Project. Beginning in
1967, he also provided engineering services to the Colorado
River Conservation District for many years. He became
involved in numerous vital Colorado River water projects,
serving many times as an expert witness for water law and other important issues. In the 1990’s, he retired from Western,
beginning a private engineering consulting career.
Ed enjoyed assisting numerous clients with engineering
services, including many Grand Mesa dam rehabilitation
projects, and water entities such as the West Divide
Conservancy District.
During his life in Grand Junction, he continued to farm and
ranch, completing several land improvements over the years. He served for many years on the Grand Valley Irrigation Company Board of Directors, and after his tenure designed improvements for the company. He served for many years on the Grand Valley Power Board of Directors, as well as serving and providing leadership for the Battlement Mesa Conservancy District.
Ed had a lifelong love of classical music and opera. He was an
ardent supporter of the Grand Junction Symphony and hated to
miss a concert. Blessed with a wonderful voice and musical
ability, he sang for many weddings and funerals over the years
as soloist, as well as singing duets with his brother, Bruce, and
in family quartets. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his
family, working alongside them on the farm and ranch. He
loved to travel with his wife and family, particularly enjoying
exploring new places by car, “just being on the road.”.
Ed loved God and was baptized at First Baptist Church at ten
years old. In 1978, Ed and Margaret were commissioned, along
with four other families to attend Grand Valley Church of the
Brethren upon its merging with the American Baptist
Convention. For the last 17 years, they have been faithful
members of their adopted church home at First Presbyterian
Church where Ed has served in many ways through music,
leadership, and educational ministries.
Ed is preceded in death by his brother, Bruce.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Margaret; son, Jim (Pam
Clark); daughters, Lola Childs (Rick), Debbie Oliver (Lin),
Alane Currier Griggs (Jerry); sister, Alice Englund; eight
grandchildren, Alisa Quiñones (Otto), Janna Belmont (former
spouse, Danny), Jeff (Julie), Emily Osburn (Chris), William
(Oliver), Christopher (Oliver), Timothy (Oliver), Ben (Griggs);
and 11 great-grandchildren.
Ed passed away on March 11, 2017, surrounded by his family.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Gayle Miller and HopeWest
Hospice for their wonderful care and comfort, as well as many
friends, near and far.
A celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church
on Monday, March 20, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to First
Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 ½ Road, Grand Junction, CO
81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B Death Notice - March 15, 2017
Edward J. Currier, 91, Grand Junction, died March 11, 2017,
at his home.
Services will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Clover Cemetery in Collbran.
He was a civil engineer.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret E.; one son, Jim of Grand
Junction; three daughters, Lola Childs of Escondido, California,
Debbie Oliver of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Alane Currier Griggs of Grand Junction; one sister, Alice Englund of Mobile, Alabama; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church, 3940
27½ Road, Grand Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - March 19, 2017
