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James Michael Alan Curry-Long
April 27, 1988
~
September 22, 2003

Once in every life time we are truely blessed.
For a brief moment in time
We were blessed with a Son.
You touched our hearts with so much joy
James Our sweet and precious son
You have left your footprints
all over our hearts.
We will never forget you

Biography
James Michael-Alan Curry-Long, 15, of Spring Valley, California was hit and killed by a hit and run driver on September 22, 2003 while walking to attend a 6:00 a.m. seminary class at his church before going on to school. James was a student at Mt. Miguel High School and was a Jr. ROTC Army member and a Member of the Boy Scouts Troop 21. He also attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lemon Grove, California, where the church played a vital role in his life. Just on Sunday prior to his death, James wrote in his journal the following words: "Dear God, Thank you for this day, thank you for the gift of Life and the Church and the scriptures. Please guide me through the day and help me keep the Sabbath HOLY. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen" To all that knew James and had come into contact with him, it was said that James had a boyish humor, he was kind, he had a great devotion to God, and had established goals in his life-hoping one day to join the United States Army. How interesting that his name James means "Following after the Lord". James is survived by the following: His Mother, Loretta A. Curry; Father, Patrick Alan Long; Step-Father, Stephen Francis Weeces; Brothers, Frank William Weeces, Robert John Cox, Josiah Thomas Draper, Peter Jahn Curry; his Sisters, Clasina Cox, Erica Marie Weeces, and Rebecca Anneliesa Curry.

Forever
Some dreams must wait
Life isn't long enough
Some dreams must wait to come true
Sometimes it seems
Life just begins and then
All of a sudden it is through
There are songs you won't ever hear
Pages you'll never turn
Words that you'll never know
Life isn't long enough
Some dreams must wait to come true
It's nice to know there's all eternity
For everything you'd like to do
There aren't any clocks
There aren't any things like calendars
No such thing as too late
Just Always and evermore
That's why I think it's so great
That Heaven Father and Mother
Figured it out so clever
There's never enough time
And that is why
I am glad we go on Forever
Some Dreams must wait
Life isn't long enough
Some dreams must wait to come true
Sometimes it seems
Life just begins and then
All of sudden it's through

October 1st, 2003
Farewell service for James Michael Alan Curry Long experts.
James Michael Alan Curry-Long; James was born on April 27th, 1988 in Oakland, Alameda County, California at Merrit Hospital. He is the son of Patrick Alan Long and Lorretta Alberta Angel Curry. He is the beloved brother of Erica Marie, Clasina Ester, Frank William, Robert John, Rebecca Anneliese, and Peter Jahn. From his father’s side he is the forth generation of James M.’s. From his mother’s side he is forth generation native Californian. James loved the holidays and when he was 5, He and his sister Rebecca came down with chicken pox right after Halloween. James was not completely healed until about a few days before Christmas. Christmas presents had not been gotten because of the need to tend to the children…unbeknownst to the family someone had bought them their Christmas presents. On Christmas eve, a knock on the door came. And James and Becky opened the door and with wide eyes saw Santa Claus paying them a special visit. It gave James the love for Christmas. James was a special needs child who because of his ADHD had a tendency to get stuck up in trees. One time when he was about 7, he gotten stuck up in tree in the family home. Just before the fire department going to be called, the LDS missionaries showed up. One of the elder’s took off their suit jacket and climbed up the tree to guide him down. But that event did not keep this ball of energy out of the trees. The next time, he was at a local park, and he saw a kite stuck up in a eucalyptus tree and decided to go rescue it. Well, he had his legs over one branch and his feet on two lower branches as he tried to get the kite free. The branches which his feet where on broke and he got stuck up in this tree, only this time he was about 50 feet up! The fire department was called; the first truck could not rescue him because of the length of their ladders and the soggy ground conditions. So the truck with the cheery picker was called. The firemen got him down off the tree and then went higher than the tree. When his mother asked why, she was simply told; we thought he wanted to see the tops of the trees so we thought we would accommodate him. James was a mischievous child and ornery as a goat at times. In fifth grade he did not want to do something his teacher wanted him to do, so he went under their tall roll away cabinets and hid. He loved his mother’s stories of how she did practical jokes as a teen, and had planned to copy some of them. The one he wanted to do the most is to get into the principals car and fill it to capacity with inflated balloons. James loved scouts. He joined cub scouts in 2cd grade in Iowa. He was active in the LDS troop 21. He had made it to the level of 1st class and was just waiting until January to get life. He loved the scout camps that he attended. He was so looking forward to attend the mountain man weekend activity that was scheduled for this past weekend. James loved helping others. He would love to set up and take down chairs for meetings. Or James would love to check on the fluids in my van or even change a flat tire. This past weekend there was two things he wanted to do both the Mountain man retreat and the Bonita fest parade….Often he would set up his seminary class. James was a spit ball fire of energy, and yet when he would need to do his duties as a member of the priesthood. It was as if he was a different person. He would stay on task and humbly get the task done. He loved his priesthood responsibilities. He looked forward to passing the sacrament when he turned 12. He faithfully set the sacrament table once he turned 14….He was so much looking forward to becoming a priest at 16. And he was talking of going on a mission. He wanted to take French so he could go to France and teach there. I could see a future elder’s quorum president who would step beyond what would be normally expected. We saw a glimpse of the Celestial being he now is. He would love to read. Goosebumps and Harry Potter were favorites. Last Christmas he was given the 4 volume set and he read all four during the next two weeks. He also loved the comic pages….. He had lived in 3 different states; California, Utah and Iowa. He had the privilege of travel to Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Washington D. C., Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Arizonian, and Illinois. Our last trip as a family was in May of 2003. His step father graduated from a University in Iowa, so we flew to Chicago and drove to Iowa. On the way back to Chicago, we made a big side trip to Nauvoo, Illinois where the Nauvoo temple has been recently restored. During Christmas of 2001, we went to the San Francisco bay area, a friend apologized that there was no Christmas tree, and James reminded him that was not important, but being together as a family was. James was a great hugger, but he gave great big bear hugs.
I was one of those who got his hugs when he came to class but I always give hugs when they come to class., I was James seminary teacher last year. I teach a class of students who all are going to school about 600-615 and 630 in the morning, so that they are unable to go in the morning. James was so dedicated in coming, He had his mother come earler so he could help set up the classroom and he was always happy. He would love our parties because the girls would not eat everything and James was, He would always attend his class unless he was injuried. It just seems like I teach so many seminary students a year, when ever I see a seminary student I start with one of the scripture masteries with my kids in my stake and I am from the San Diego California Stake. I will just walk up to them and say “for behold” and they are supposed to finish the rest and if they do not I say I will get you the next time.
We come to this earth for his work and glory and when I told the class about James, they were very very sad. I took some cards some sympathy cards passed them and asked them if they wanted to write a message to the family to give them comfort and encouragement. So as I passed them I said you do not have to but you can if you want to and I passed them out and they sat there. Thinking what can I say? I said the one most precious gift you have is your testimony. You can give that away and that will be comfort. I asked James mom if she had gotten the cards from the seminary kids and she said yes I did. I going to bring cupcakes but do not tell them. Now I see them whom are in this seminary class.
On Sunday, September 21, 2003; his Sunday school teacher gave each of the kids a spiral notebook. She had each of them write a prayer. This testimony was sealed with his death.
“Dear God,
Thank you for this day. Thank you for the gift of life, and the Church and the Scriptures. Please guide me though the day and help me keep the Sabbath holy. In Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
James left this mortal earth on Monday, September 22, 2003 in Spring Valley, San Diego, California when he was killed by a hit and run driver on his way to seminary. He is now in the very presence of our Heavenly Father, where he is actively engaged in good in the assignments he is now given. I say these things humbly; In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

President Glauser
Like many of us here are asking that small three letter word, why? Why? Like most of us trying to understanding this incredable tragdegy, the news came through the media. As I was returning to the office that morning, on the radio comes notice of a young man who on his route to school at 6 am, I knew that no classes start that early. Then the location given and then his name- and I thought no this cant be James in route to seminary, no! Why? Many times I have stood at this pulpit and at the moment of the passing of our loved ones death comes with graditude and mercy in order to relieve from the suffering he or she has passed . But today I can not help to think that the words of President Monson in this paticular senerio that death seems to come as an intruder. As an enemy who suddenly appears in the midst of lifes feast putting out lights and gaiety of the feast. Death lays its heavy hand on those nearest to us and leaves us baffling and wondering and for the most part we think of it as the enemy of human happiness. And now in watching this congregation come together for this service. I stood back in awe as I watched the incredible out pouring of emotion and the sustaining power of friends. And to you young people who are sitted here, I pay tribute to you and thank you because I am sure of speak in the behalf of Lorretta and the rest of her family as they feel of your sustaining influence and the power of your friendship to James, thank you for that, thank you for your nobility, thank you for your intergrity. Muriel shared with us the words of James that he wrote as a part of his Sunday school class just a week ago. And the power of those words are found in your program find a special place in my heart. And I am most greatful that he had the opportunity to do this and I thank his Sunday school teacher for providing that opportunity. But what of those of us left behind? What is James legecy taken before he came into the prime of his life? What about his siblings? How and will they remember their older or younger brother? What of his extended family? And what of his friends? It does not require a brilliant mind to consider the words of the prophet Abraham writtings to come to an understanding that this life was divinely designed so that you and I would be given all necessary challenges to give us the opportunity to our future exaltation. Part of that trial requires that each of us pass though trials ,testing, and tribulation.
It is impossible with our limited understanding to understand the why of all of this. Of this I can be assured, James was of such a character and nature because of what he had accomplished before he ever thought of being born to Lorretta. His primary need was to grab this body and then get about the more weighty work of what was waiting for him on the otherside of the viel. Now that seems almost outrangous for you and I to sit here and consider but I believe it must bring some comfort in knowing because of where this young man’s heart was here a mere 15 year old kid with the insight to be willing to pen the very day before his passing to thank his GOD for the gift of life, for the gift of his church and for the gift of the revealed scriptures of God as a guide in his life. Pleading for help God to allow him to keep that simple commandment to keep the sabbath day holy. What percentage of persons that age have that type of insight, and the willingness and humility in graditute of who they are and what they are to seek and solitate the help of the Almighty in helping them to do the things they should do? I think with those simple phrases great insight is shared with us where the heart of James Curry Long was and for that we can be most greatful. So his legecy to us

Bishop Donald Leavitt
This is hard on me. I am trying to remember when James came into my life and thinking back it was seven or eight years ago. Maybe around that time he started to attending our scout functions, then eventually to attend our ward. I had many dealings with James thoughout his life. And as it has been said James was a young man that had a hard time when he was little to sitting still. You really had to keep him entertained or he was out the window or down the hallway or who knows whereever he would go. He frustrated many teachers and leaders as they tried to work with him and realize that he was a special spirit. He had a hard time sitting still. As he grew up and started to mature in life, what a change in this young man into a man that was respondsible. Every Sunday James would get here early to prepare the sacrament, so bishop would not have to worry whether or not the sacrament would be ready, because James would be there and take care of it. I saw him grow and progress and how excited he was in the goals he had in life and developed. In the ROTC program in this last year in school- he told me all the goals he had. He was going to make Sargent and then the boss. James said that then I will start telling you Bishop what to do. How to polish your shoes, buckle your belt and do all those things. And I would remind James- you probably will but right now you are a little smaller than me when you get bigger it will be easier for you to do that. I always liked to kid with him that as a long as I am bigger than Him, I have control. And that is not always the case, but that is how James was excited about that. He was always excited about school, he loved school and he loved seminary. It is not every child to get up early and walk or ride his bike to seminary. A lot of parents have to wake up the kid, pour water on them three or four times to get them out of bed and tell them that is your morning shower. Then okay go get dressed and we are going to seminary. That did not happen with James; James would set his alarm, get up, get ready and go, that kind of tells you of the type of James was. And as we sit here today and grieve. And why do we grieve? Well it has been said that grieving is a natural product of love. You have to be able to love before we can grieve for them. And as I lookout an look on the audience today, I see many people grieving. And why? Because we all loved James. Sure James was not the most perfect person in all areas of his life but he had a tender heart and loved every body. He was a good kid. He was alwasy tried to do what he was supposed to do. So as we grieve, we wonder why. What comfort can come to a grieving parent that they can expect from the Lord in their earnest supplication. It may not be elimination of their grief, so much as a sweet assurance as his or her circumstance is that their child is in Heavenly Father’s care. And that is what we need to understand this day. Yes, we will miss James and we will miss him for quite a long while for a long time. But he is in His Heavenl Father’s presence this day.. So that is a comfort to each of us to know that no matter who we are that we woll all be resurrected that our body and spirit will be reunited. As we as individuals will be judged according to our works on this life that is fact. But that Heavenly Father loves each one of us and each one of us in this room will have that gift of resurrection. And as families we have the opportunity to live our lives to be together for in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that families are forever that we will live with our families forever as in the family unit here.

Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Have you ever really thought about all that you've got? well I have some very bad news. For all those San Diego readers I'm sure you heard about that boy who was hit by a car and killed on his way to school. That was my friend. His name was James and we used to hang out a lot when we were kids. We spent like a whole summer just playin wall ball all day and riding bikes. The past few years we haven't talked much because I don't go to his school and well we don't have a need to play or swim that much anymore. Still though he talked to my grandma a lot and helped her with little jobs aruond the house. He was a really cool kid though I'm sure not many people took the time to find that out. It's funny I remember when we were younger and I didn't want to play I would be kinda mean to him but later when I wanted to play he would always be there. My mom said he had a crush on me but I never noticed, he was just my buddy. He told my grandma he wanted to be an engineer when he was helping her with her car a couple of weeks ago. It's too bad that he won't ever get to be one, I'd bet he'd be a good one too. I really wish I had taken more time to talk to him these past few years but we both kinda just drifted. I'm not asking why did this happen or anything like that because I know he's where god wants him to be now but I'm still sad. He was getting really involved in his church so at least I can be happy for him. I haven't talked to any of my friends about it because I was really shocked and I didn't want to bring anyone else down. I guess it's better that I got my crying out without anybody else having to listen. Well I thought that I should write about what happened.. sorry that this entry is on the sad side. - RIP James Curry-Long -

Suddenly no one knows how it happened
James crossed the street and he was hit and killed
We will never know the real truth
But in a flash of a moment He was dead

Instantly or rapidly are the words they used
He never felt the pain
A seconds fleeting fear if that
I wish I felt the same

They told me We are sorry
What else could be said?
They told me and then suddenly
My feet turned to clay

It could not be! You must be wrong!
There is no way! I said
James was doing the right thing of going to seminary
Not him! Not now!
HE CAN NOT JUST BE DEAD!

The days have passed, I still replay
That instant in my mind
I saved my son in a million ways
I have kissed my son again
but I can not rewind the time
And I had to say good bye

A Father's Lament
It was an early Monday morning,
To seminary class he was bound.
Suddenly hit - thrown through the air -
To lie there, with no one around.

The driver stopped, and sat awhile,
For he knew that someone he'd hit
And then, in fear, he drove off
To home, and call off work sick.

On the road he laid, crumpled and broken,
In the early morning fog,
Without awareness to even cry out
For his mother, or father... or God.

Around the bundle of clothing spotted,
Another car approached and veered.
Worried, this driver U-turned to see
Around what it was that he steered.

Only to witness the following car
Strike the bundle a blow
That the bundle was a little boy,
The unfortunate woman didn't know.

With the poor boy, waiting for help,
The two drivers did stay,
In tears, to keep the boy company
Until an ambulance took him away.

The doctors and nurses did their best
For that boy on the hospital bed
But for naught - the body too damaged -
And the young man's spirit had fled.

My son was buried one week later,
The chapel packed to both ends,
It was obvious that he was well-loved
When seen off by family and friends.

It seems a cliché, but it is a fact,
That I regret there were things undone.
But only the Creator truly knows
How much I love - and miss - my son.

© Patrick A. Long
"Reprinted with permission.
All rights reserved,
including the right to reproduce this poem,
or portion thereof, in any form."

This is the last thing James wrote
“Dear God,
Thank you for this day.
Thank you for the gift of life,
and the Church and the Scriptures.
Please guide me though the day and help me keep the Sabbath holy.
In Name of Jesus Christ. Amen".

In Loving Memory of James Michael-Alan Curry-Long
James is the Son of
Patrick and Lorretta

Please visit James
In Loving Memory of James
By Christi