Obituary: Curtis Scott Emery

Curt S. Emery died peacefully on March 18, 2024, after a 10-year battle with medullary thyroid cancer and escalating treatment-related complications. He kept his humor, faith, and deep love for his wife and sons throughout the discomfort and setbacks.

Curt was born April 29, 1966, to Ray and Judy (Farnsworth) Emery, formerly of Delevan, and currently of Snohomish, Washington. He went to Pioneer Central High School, where he earned excellent grades, played trumpet in band, and began honing his guitar skills. Curt blended his electrical and woodworking skills to build his own custom electric guitars. He went on to receive an electrical engineering degree from SUNY Buffalo.

He was the lead guitar player in several bands and became somewhat of a local guitar legend in Buffalo and San Francisco. His most successful band, Lollipop, released two albums and a music video that aired on MTV2. Lollipop toured, developed a loyal fan base, and were in the movie "The Color of Noise."

As a truly gifted guitar player and electrical wizard, Curt started his own company, Emery Sound, which designed and manufactured high-end tube amplifiers for guitar players wanting impeccable studio sound quality. Emery Sound amplifiers earned rave reviews in guitar magazines and kept Curt busy for over three decades.

Although music was his first love, Karen Jamison of Grand island won his heart and his lifelong devotion. They were married in Buffalo on Sept. 8, 1995, and moved to the San Francisco area. In 2001, they welcomed their first son, Keith, and in 2005 they were blessed with another son, Leon.

Curt continued growing Emery Sound, playing music whenever possible, throwing incredible parties, creating gorgeous woodworking gifts, wholeheartedly loving his wife, and raising their awesome boys.

In his final years, Curt fought to get as much time raising his sons as possible, and was generous with visits to his parents, sisters and extended family. Karen was his rock through many medical struggles and impressed us all with her devoted caregiving and loving strength.

Curt is survived by his wife, sons, parents, sisters Lyn and Kara (both of Washington), aunts, uncles, cousins, many nieces, a nephew, and a large network of bicoastal friends and fans.

A memorial will be held in Richmond, California, on April 11, with an intimate family service later in Washington.

In Curt's honor, donations to the UCSF Foundation are encouraged, to thank them for all their excellent care.

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