Stephen Jon Curley

Steve Curley was born on July 4, 1963 to John (RIP) and Frances Curley (RIP) in San Francisco, California.  Steve's father was in Sales Management, and the family moved often while Steve was growing up, including Concord, Los Angeles, Washington State, Texas, Marin and Rohnert Park.  In 1981 Steve graduated high school in Cypress, Texas.

Since Steve's family moved often while he is growing up, Steve and his older brother Mark were frequently the "new kids" in school, and they had to learn to defend themselves at an early age.  Steve performed well in school and against bullies alike.  He was also a successful boxer in his teenage years.  

While Steve enjoyed the challenge of boxing, he realized it was not the best long- term career for him.  He relocated back to Rohnert Park, California, where he earned a business degree from Sonoma State University.  During this time Steve began training with Timothy Unisa in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate and Yamani-Ryu Kabudo. Steve excelled in martial arts and won many tournaments in point fighting, Kata, and Kabudo (traditional Okinawan weapons).  

It was in Sensei Unisa's Dojo where Steve and Teri met.  They began dating in 1996 and were married in 1999 in Hawaii.  Steve and Teri shared a strong connection to Hawaii, where they enjoyed many vacations, where Teri lived as a young girl with her family and learned her first hula.  Steve later learned to play Hawaiian music and Steve and Teri both participated in hula dancing. Steve and Teri settled in Santa Rosa in Northern California's wine country.

In 1994, Steve took over the Unisa Dojo and renamed it the International Budo Academy, where he ran a successful school teaching martial arts for 35 years.  Steve practiced many disciplines and styles of martial arts and exposed his students to many great teachers.  Teri assisted in both the roofing business and karate dojo, and she had a successful career at State Farm Insurance while also supporting Steve. 

In 1996, Steve started Stephen Curley Roofing, which has been a premium roofing contractor in Santa Rosa area since its founding.  Steve built a strong professional team in his office and an excellent roofing crew that could typically start and finish a roof in a single day.  Steve built the business to be highly efficient, and by treating his suppliers well and delivering excellent client service, his business thrived. 

Steve Curley was a true warrior, skilled in many ancient and modern fighting arts.  He traveled extensively, teaching seminars across the country and learning from other instructors.  Steve was committed to being a learning Sensei, and he pushed himself and his students to continue growing and learning within the martial arts. 

Sensei Steve had passion for teaching martials arts to kids and helping them become the best version of themselves. He insisted in reviewing their report cards to ensure they were on tract academically, and he was always available to work with students and their parents when special attention was beneficial.  Steve and Teri were very generous and provided countless scholarships for students from lower income families.  Steve and Teri's financial success in business gave them the ability to prioritize the needs of youth and the benefits of martial arts. 

Sensei Curley was a great friend and mentor to many people and a father figure to many of his students.  He was quick with a joke or ready to entertain with his ukulele and a sing a song or two.  Steve and Teri often entertained at their beautiful home in the wine country, where Steve's BBQ skills and Teri's gracious hospitality filled bellies and warmed hearts.  

Sensei Steve excelled in many disciplines and styles of martial arts, including:

Sensei Steve earned his Kyoshi (7th Dan) in his primary style of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Okinawan Karate, and his 4th Dan in Shorinkan Kobodu, under his long-time Sensei Kyoshi Sam Ahtye.  Sensei Steve had a good personal relationship with Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato (RIP), founder of Shorinkan Karate and a direct student of Chosin Chibana.  After Shugoro Nakazato passed, Sensei Curley and Sensei Ahtye maintained a strong relationship with his successor Hanshi Minoru Nakazato, and they visited Okinawa annually to train in karate and embraced the Okinawan culture.

Sensei Curley earned a 5th Dan in Shurite Ju-Jutsu/Bujutsu from the Shuri-Te Bu-jutsu-Kai under Kyoshi Troy Price.  Sensei Curley attained the level of Chief Instructor in this unique organization that brings together many of the best martial artists in the U.S. and globally to share knowledge with each other and their students. 

Sensei Curley was an Escrima Master under GM Rene Latosa (RIP) and his successor GM Cedric Concon.  Sensei Curley received personal training from GM Latosa.  

In his constant effort to continue learning, Sensei Steve recently earned his Shodan in Matayoshi Kobudo under Hanshi Neil Stolsmark. 

Sensei Steve was actively studying Tai Chi under Sensei Dan Cuthbertson at the Petaluma Academy of Martial Arts.

Sensei was also highly proficient in knife-fighting techniques and was very skilled with firearms. 

Steve is survived by his wife, Teri Curley, and their faithful dog, Buddy whom he loved very much.  Steve is also survived by his older brother Mark Curley (Nancy); nieces and nephews, Meagan, Emily, David and Joey.  He is also survived by his step-mother, Kelly Curley and two step-brothers; Kyle Chapman (Jill) and Bryan Chapman (Cindi); nieces and nephew, Kayla, Justin, Jenna and Emily. 

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