For the past 25 years, Ron McCurdy has served as a civilian Air Traffic Control Maintenance Officer and Certified Mediator for Alternate Dispute Resolutions (ADR) with the U.S. Navy. In addition to his professional commitments, he was the vice-president of the local FAPA and has successfully recruited over sixteen families to become foster parents, reflecting his deep commitment to the foster care community.

Ron’s remarkable journey began in Florida, where he was born and raised. He joined the Air Force and embarked on a new adventure in Alaska, living there for 11 years with his beautiful bride, Denise. The couple returned to Florida in 1999, bringing with them four bio-children. Their marriage has spanned 36 wonderful years, during which their family grew with the addition of six more biological children, bringing the total to ten.

In 2016, Ron and his wife felt a calling to foster children, initially with no intention of adoption. However, life had other plans. They became licensed foster parents in early 2017 and were blessed with the care of a delightful 3-month-old baby. A year later, they welcomed his 2-day-old sister into their home as well, eventually adopting both children. This opened their hearts to the possibility of adopting more; they have since adopted three more children.

Over the years, more than 40 children have found a temporary home with the family, and five of those children have been adopted into their loving embrace. Currently, with two foster children in their care, they have a total of 17 children. Many of their children are now adults. With five of them married, they also joyfully embrace the role of grandparents with 17 grandchildren.

Ron’s journey has instilled in him and his wife a deep passion for supporting foster children. Initially unfamiliar with the responsibilities of foster parenting, their experiences with the emotional and psychological impacts on children within the system made them advocates for fostering, adoptive parents, and child reunification efforts.

While Ron values the beauty of adoption—having adopted many himself—his heart is deeply invested in helping biological parents address and overcome their challenges to enable safe reunifications whenever possible.

Foster care and adoption have evolved into a cherished family legacy for the McCurdy family. Inspired by Ron and his wife, two of their children have embarked on their foster care journeys and have each adopted a child. One of their children is now a dedicated professional within the foster care system, while their eldest, a local attorney, not only managed the legalities of their siblings’ adoptions but also aids other parents in adopting children from Florida’s foster care system. Then extending beyond their immediate family, this passion for fostering has inspired Ron’s sister and niece to also become foster parents and adopt children, thereby enriching the family’s multi-generational commitment to fostering and adoption.

Ron’s story is a testament to love, commitment, and the profound impact of fostering and adopting children.