James Davis Cury

James Davis Cury, MD, died August 12, 2024 after a brief battle with cancer. “Davey” was born on December 27, 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Gene and BJ Cury.

He graduated from Episcopal School of Jacksonville in 1973, where he was VP of the National Honor Society, a member of the student senate, and co-captain of the football and basketball teams. Davey graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washington and Lee University in 1977, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and Alpha Epsilon Delta and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies. He received his MD in 1981 from The University of Miami School of Medicine, followed by residency and fellowship at the Barnes Hospital of Washington University in St. Louis from 1982-1988.

Davey became a highly renowned, multi-board-certified Pulmonologist and practiced at UF Health (formerly Shands) in Jacksonville for 35 years. He served as Chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine for 21 years, and was the program director for the division’s fellowship program for 12 years. Davey shared his passion and commitment to medicine with many younger doctors throughout his career; he modeled an exemplary work ethic and a lifelong pursuit of learning. Davey was selected as Teacher of the Year 15 times for his work in Internal Medicine and Community Health and Family Medicine. He received the coveted Louis R. Russo Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine in 2004. Davey was actively engaged in ongoing research, publishing over 50 articles in contribution to pulmonary medicine. He considered his students and colleagues to be members of his extended family, and took immense pride in their achievements and success.

Beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, doctor, teacher, mentor, and friend, Davey was a larger-than-life hero with a megawatt smile and personality that brightened any room. He saved lives, taught medicine with love and compassion, and made everyone laugh until they cried with his outrageous antics and stories. His legendary jokes and dance moves will be greatly missed.

Davey was a loving and playful father. He raised his children to work hard in the pursuit of their dreams, and insisted on an equal commitment to enjoying life to the fullest. Chandler and Davis were his pride and joy.

Davey is survived by his beloved wife of thirty years, Raegan Rogers Cury, his daughter, Chandler, son James Davis Jr, brother Neal (Romany), brother Phil (Jen) and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Renee Cury Booker.

The family wishes to express their immense gratitude to Erin Towers, Dondra Osborne, Elizabeth Perkins, Josh Rogers, Lorraine Sims, Lana Cook, and Drs. Vandana Seeram, Qassem Abdelal, Ravi Maharaj,Teja Boppana, Troy Guthrie and Brad Hoppe. Thank you all for going above and beyond to support our family through this almost unbearable process.

A celebration of Davey’s life will be held at One Ocean Resort, Atlantic Beach, October 5 from 3-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in memory of Dr. Dave Cury to Mayo Clinic for Lung Transplant Research within the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Please contact Miranda McCown (507)422-9070 or mccown.miranda@mayo.edu for info.