Lemuel Florence Patterson Curry | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 22, 1887 Rodfield, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 23, 1977 (aged 89) Independence, Missouri, U.S. |
| Education | Brown University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, University of Pittsburgh |
| Occupation(s) | Mayor, Religious Leader |
| Known for | Mayor of Independence, Missouri; Leader in the RLDS Church |
Lemuel Florence Patterson Curry (July 22, 1887 – January 23, 1977) was an American leader in theReorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church) and was themayor ofIndependence,Missouri, from 1962 to 1966.
Curry was born inRodfield,Pennsylvania. He was educated atBrown University, theCarnegie Institute of Technology, and theUniversity of Pittsburgh.
Throughout his adult life, Curry was a leader in the RLDS Church. On February 12, 1931, he became a member of the church'spresiding bishopric. On April 17, 1932 he succeededAlbert Carmichael as the Presiding Bishop of the RLDS Church.[1] Curry was selected as a counselor toRLDS Church presidentFrederick M. Smith in the church'sFirst Presidency in 1938; Curry served in this capacity and as Presiding Bishop simultaneously until 1940, whenG. Leslie DeLapp was appointed to succeed Curry as Presiding Bishop.[2] Curry was Smith's counselor in the First Presidency until Smith's death in 1946. WhenIsrael A. Smith assumed the position of president of the church, he did not ask Curry to rejoin the First Presidency.
Curry was elected mayor ofIndependence, Missouri in 1962. He served for four years, until 1966. Curry died at Independence at age 89.
Until 2016, Curry was the only person to serve concurrently as the presiding bishop of the church and as a member of the First Presidency.[3] (In 2016,Stassi D. Cramm was appointed to serve in both positions simultaneously.)[3]
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| Preceded by | Counselor in theFirst Presidency October 1938–April 9, 1946 | Succeeded by |