In Memory – December 7, 2023

Phillip L. Curry

Dr. Curry (Illinois ’76), 78, Winter Springs, Florida, died October 17, 2023. Following graduation, he practiced mixed animal medicine at Shively Animal Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Curry subsequently established Animal Care Clinic in Bloomington, Illinois, where he worked for 20 years. He then moved to Florida, serving initially as an associate and relief veterinarian in central Florida, and later, as head surgeon at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Titusville. In 2014, Dr. Curry founded Animal Care Clinic of Titusville.

He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Dr. Curry is survived by his wife, Rita; two daughters and two sons; three grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to Pet Rescue by Judy, 401 S. Laurel Ave., Sanford, FL 32771.

Anthony J. Evangelista

Dr. Evangelista (Ohio State ’77), 74, Painesville, Ohio, died November 2, 2023. He owned Lake Animal Hospital in Painesville for more than 40 years. Active in his community, Dr. Evangelista helped raise funds to improve athletic facilities at Riverside High School in Painesville. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; a son and a daughter; two grandchildren; and two sisters. Memorials may be made to the American Dahlia Society, c/o Charles Miehm, 38430 Piggott Bottom Road, Hamilton, VA 20158, or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087.

Jim E. Geary

Dr. Geary (Washington State ’62), 89, Lewiston, Idaho, died April 1, 2023. In 1966, he established Valley Veterinary Hospital in Lewiston, where he practiced until retirement in 1980. Dr. Geary previously worked in Seattle. He served on the Idaho Board of Veterinary Medicine and was active with the Kiwanis Club and Masonic Lodge. Dr. Geary was a veteran of the Army. He is survived by two sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Robert H. Potter

Dr. Potter (Texas A&M ’64), 84, Columbus, Texas, died October 13, 2023. He practiced in Texas’s Colorado County for 50 years. Dr. Potter was a member of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and was active with the National FFA Organization and 4-H Club. His wife, Kay; three sons and a daughter; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother survive him. Memorials may be made to Columbus Community Hospital, 110 Shult Drive, Columbus, TX 78934; St. Roch’s Catholic Church, 1600 Frelsburg Road, Alleyton, TX 78934; or St. Anthony’s Catholic School, P.O. Box 669, Columbus, TX 78934.

Dana C. Schoelen

Dr. Schoelen (Ross ’90), 61, Toms River, New Jersey, died June 27, 2023. Following graduation, he worked three years at the Animal Medical and Surgical Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Schoelen subsequently co-owned Raintree Veterinary Hospital in Freehold, New Jersey, with his then wife, Dr. Tracie A. Glicker (Ross ’90). He is survived by his fiancée, Tara DiPinto; two children; and a brother.

Gary G. Swails

Dr. Swails (Kansas State ’70), 82, Bronxville, New York, died September 29, 2023. He owned small animal practices in Arvada, Colorado; St. Joseph, Missouri; and New York City. During his career, Dr. Swails also worked in California and Montana. While in Colorado, he contributed animal-related columns and articles to the Denver Post. Dr. Swails also contributed to the Cat Fancy and Dog Fancy magazines. He was a member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society and the VMA of New York City. Dr. Swails’ two daughters, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a brother survive him. Memorials may be made to the Morris Animal Foundation, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 174A, Denver, CO 80246, or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128.

A version of this story appears in the February 2024 print issue of JAVMA

Please report the death of a veterinarian promptly to the AVMA News staff via a toll-free phone call at 800-248-2862, ext. 6754; email at newsavma [dot] org (news[at]avma[dot]org); or fax at 847-925-9329. For an obituary to be published, AVMA News must be notified within six months of the date of death.