Dennis Curran

Dennis Edward Curran, 67, died Sunday April 8, 2012 in Cheyenne of complications from diabetes. He was born August 17th, 1944, in Madison, Wisconsin. Denny graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1966 with a BA in History. He found his love of journalism at an early age, following his father who was the long-time news editor of the Wisconsin State Journal. Denny began his career working for Lee Enterprise newspapers as a cub reporter for the newspaper in Missoula, Montana in 1970. He later became the capitol bureau reporter in Helena, Montana, covering state and legislative issues for four Montana newspapers. In 1978, Denny moved to Cheyenne as a reporter for Associated Press. It was in Cheyenne that he met his future wife, Wendy Peryam. They were married in Centennial, Wyoming in November of 1985 and moved to Helena, Montana, so that he could work at the Montana bureau of the Associated Press. In 1987, Wyoming called Denny again, and he moved his expanding family to Cheyenne to serve as press secretary for Governor Mike Sullivan. He then became a consultant and freelance writer for many clients until 2000 when he became the founding editor of the Wyoming Business Report. In April of 2011, Denny retired from his full time position to become editor emeritus, continuing to contribute columns and articles. As someone recently said of Denny, "He had ink in his blood and Wyoming in his heart." He is remembered as a consummate professional, a true gentleman, a mentor to many and he leaves a lasting legacy on journalism in Wyoming. Denny lived life to the fullest. He loved fly-fishing, catching the "fishing bug" at an early age during family vacations to Minnesota. His love for the art of fly-fishing deepened among the many rivers of the west, especially his favorite holes on the Encampment River. He was an avid lover of all things trains and railroad related, spending countless hours assembling model scale trains. His children remember long drives through picturesque scenery in order to capture the perfect image of a rushing train framed by mountains, prairies and endless western skies. Gourmet cooking and an appreciation for fine wines were among Denny's passions. He loved traveling and had visited 49 states, and was planning to visit the last on his list, Arkansas, this summer. Denny walked through every door with a smile and his friendship was a gift he shared with all he met. He was the consummate host, cheerleader, mentor and friend. He enjoyed a long career as a runner, competing in ten marathons and countless other races. Along with his son, Tim, he was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers, and was even the proud owner of an official cheese head hat. Denny is survived by his wife, Wendy Peryam, daughter Katie Ockers Powell and her husband Chris of Laramie, daughter Laura Elizabeth and son Timothy Michael Alan of Cheyenne; two sisters, Jane Curran Johnson and her husband Gary of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Mary Curran of Madison, Wisconsin and several nieces and nephews. He will be missed as a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, a journalist, an outdoorsman and a true gentleman. Services will be held Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Cheyenne, with a reception to follow at the Kiwanis Community House in Lions Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Denny's memory can be made to Stride Learning Center or CLIMB Wyoming.

Service

Thursday, April 12, 2012 10:00am

First Presbyterian Church

220 W. 22nd St,.

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Reception

Kiwanis Community House

Lions Park

CHEYENNE, WY