Matthew Stetson Curley

ODESSA Matthew Stetson Curley, born March 2, 1963, in Fort Defiance, Ariz., went to be with his loving savior on June 24, 2009, in Odessa, Texas.

He is preceded in death by two brothers, Timothy and Duane.

Those left to cherish Matthew's memory are father, Webster Kurley, and mother, Gertrude Kurley of Ganado, Ariz.; brother, Lynn of Albuquerque, N.M.; sisters, Martha of Albuquerque, N.M., and Jaysulyn Shula of Polaca, Ariz.; many nieces, nephews, relatives and a host of friends.

Due to a childhood illness at the age of two months, Matt went to live with Loraine and Jason Shula in Polaca, Ariz., until age six. Matt returned to live with his parents, where he attended elementary school. They then moved to Ganado, Ariz., where he attended middle school, and for a brief time attended Intermountain High School in Bringham City, Utah. He then went to Phoenix Indian School where he attained his GED.

Matt became a master Hopi potter, and had the privilege of doing a Hopi pottery presentation for special needs children at Bowie Junior High School in Odessa, Texas.

Matt was blessed to live in many places: Phoenix, Ariz., Grand Canyon Village, Ariz., Polaca, Ariz., Gilla Indian Reservation in Ariz., and Odessa, Texas. He loved nature, children, gospel music, singing, church, family and animals, especially his dog, Phez, and cat, Bonki.

Matt was loved and will be missed greatly.

Memorial service to be held at River of Hope, 3625 N. Dixie Blvd. in Odessa, on Friday, July 3, 2009, at 10 a.m.