James Mccurdy

James Edward McCurdy, 39, of Ellensburg, passed away in a tragic accident on the evening of Sunday, October 28, 2018. A Celebration of Life reception was held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Ellensburg Brewing & Malting Co., 206 N. Main in Ellensburg.

James was born on November 11, 1978 in Yakima, Washington to Stuart & Thela (Loggan) McCurdy. He grew up in Yakima and attended Broadway Elementary (and then the new Ridgeview Elementary), Lewis-Clark Middle School and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1997. After high school, James attended college for two years at Western Washington University in Bellingham and over the years also earned an Associate's Degree from Yakima Valley College. He earned his bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Central Washington University in 2009. James spent time in a Masters program at Central Washington University. James was very involved in activities, sports, and student leadership at all levels of his education. To try to pinpoint one career to James would be a difficult task as he was somewhat of a renaissance man in that regard. After leaving Western, James went to work in sales of all kinds including auto, real estate, retail, wine and much more. Over the last several years, James was instrumental in helping Jim & Shannon Rowe open both the Blue Rock Saloon and the Ellensburg Brewing & Malting Co.

James was very devoted to his community and volunteered as a soccer coach, worked closely with the Clymer Museum over the years and was also a huge fan of the Seattle Sounders, University of Washington Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. He will be remembered for his warm smile, his gentle and caring nature and his amazing mixology skills behind the bar. No one will be able to forget his beard.

James is survived by his parents, Stu & Thela McCurdy of Yakima; siblings Rebecca Ferguson Wiatrowski of Chesterton, Indiana; Stuart (Laura) McCurdy of Palm City, Florida and Robert McCurdy of Yakima; niece Layla Ferguson, nephews Guy & Augustin McCurdy as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Robert & Shirley McCurdy and James & Barbara "Sistie" Loggan. Memorial contributions in James honor are suggested to the Clymer Museum in Ellensburg or to the newly established James McCurdy Scholarship at CWU. Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg is caring for James's family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.steward-williams.com