Jewel Currie

Jewel Currie was born on October 20, 1954, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, to Charlene Brown and Willie Byrd. His early childhood was spent in Mississippi and New Orleans before his family relocated to Milwaukee when he was 12. Jewel graduated from Rufus King High School in 1972, where he made history as the first Black tennis player to win the City Conference Singles Championship. Jewel went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and an Executive Master of Business Administration.

In 1973, Jewel began his career at WE Energies as a line mechanic, where he worked for over 45 years, ultimately retiring as Vice President of Operations. Alongside his work at WE Energies, Jewel was a successful entrepreneur. He started investing in real estate at a young age and owned several successful businesses, including Parkview Pizza, Misters Bar, and Garfield’s 502. His entrepreneurial ventures helped provide housing and employment opportunities within the Milwaukee community. Jewel was also dedicated to community service, volunteering with the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Par 3 Golf Board, the YMCA, and One Accord. He was committed to making a positive impact on those around him.

On September 10, 2022, Mayor Cavalier Johnson declared it “Jewel Currie Day” in the City of Milwaukee in honor of his contributions to both the community and the sport of golf. In recognition of his athletic achievements, he was inducted into the Rufus King Athletic Hall of Fame on November 10, 2024 for his outstanding tennis skills.

Jewel’s greatest pride was his family, his adopted family, and his friends. He cherished spending time with loved ones during the holidays, at the Kentucky Derby, and at Garfield’s Festival. After a long day at 502, he enjoyed unwinding with close friends over a cocktail and a cigar. A passionate competitor, Jewel enjoyed playing tennis with the Badger Tennis team in the Tennis State League, as well as friendly rounds of golf at Par 3 Golf Club.

Jewel Currie departed this life on November 13, 2024. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Johnnie and Hannah Byrd, and Buna Fay and Tom Brown; parents, Willie Byrd, Charlene and Leonard Grant; sisters Mae Belle Fells, Lee Edna Jones, and Jeanette Byrd; brothers, Charles “Chuck” Currie, Edward Lee Byrd, Johnny B Byrd, and Charlie Brown; uncles, J.W. (Josephine) Brown and M.L. (Helen); and aunts, Darkes (Edward) Anderson, Bobbie (Clyde Sr.) McGowan, Cubie (Major) Brown, Mary Brown.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory: three children, Julian (Cristin) Currie of Rochester, MN, Brandon Currie of Indianapolis, IN, Daniel Currie of Milwaukee, WI; four sisters Wilma Jean Byrd of Chicago, IL, Diane (Raymond) Jordan of Chicago, IL Madine (Bo) Kelley of Chicago, IL and Buna ”Faye” Brown of Louisville, Ky; four brothers Willie (Flossie) Byrd Jr. of Chicago, IL, David L. Byrd of Chicago, IL, Phillip Byrd of Chicago, IL and Stacy (Dorrene) Fells of Chicago, IL; an uncle TV (Jessie) Brown; three grandchildren Jadyn Carissa Currie and Catelyn Jewel Currie of Rochester, MN and Iverson Joseph Currie of Indianapolis, IN; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

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