Neal Currey was a social media influencer, gun advocate, and owner of Ready Gunner, a gun shop in Orem, Utah. He was also a former Army Ranger, who served five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had a large following on Instagram, where he posted photos of his family, his business, and his outdoor adventures. He seemed to have a perfect life, but behind the scenes, he was struggling with the unseen wounds of war.
A Tragic Loss
On September 10, 2023, Neal Currey took his own life at the age of 42. His wife, Casey Currey, confirmed his death on Instagram the next day. She shared a link to his funeral details and an account that revealed the cause of his death, which had not been previously disclosed.
According to Casey Currey and family, Neal Currey suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD can cause symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, and isolation. It can also increase the risk of suicide.
“Neal struggled, like many of you with the unseen wounds that follow soldiers home from war and continue to live within the recesses of their psyche for the rest of their lives, long after the battles are over and the accolades of their service go silent,” the statement said.
“Although Neal was able to compartmentalize this part of his life most of the time, the struggle would periodically surface and become an internal war which, not unlike combat, sees days of triumph and days of loss. Despite his incredible ability to fight and persevere, Neal unfortunately and ultimately lost this war and took his own life on September 10th and tragically became one of many in a long line of statistics that has come to be a long-term and painful reminder of the costs of our twenty-plus years of war.”
A Legacy of Service and Success
Neal Currey was born on July 4, 1981 in Provo, Utah. He grew up in a patriotic family and joined the Army after graduating from high school. He served as an Army Ranger for eight years and earned several medals and commendations for his bravery and leadership. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan five times and participated in some of the most intense battles of the wars.
After leaving the military, he pursued his passion for firearms and entrepreneurship. He founded Ready Gunner in 2015, a gun shop that sells firearms, ammunition, accessories, and tactical gear. He also created a YouTube channel where he reviewed guns and gave shooting tips. He collaborated with other veterans and influencers such as Mat Best, Evan Hafer, Sean Whalen, Christian Craighead, Heavy D Sparks, Logan Stark, Fieldcraft Survival, Rockwell Watches, Untreaded Custom, and Brooke Lynn Weenig.
He married Casey Currey in 2007 and they had six children together. They lived in Lindon, Utah and enjoyed spending time outdoors. They went hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, biking, boating, and flying helicopters. They also traveled to many places around the world. Neal Currey loved his family more than anything and was a devoted husband and father.
A Call for Awareness and Support
Neal Currey’s death has shocked and saddened many people who knew him or followed him online. His family has received an outpouring of love and condolences from friends, fans, customers, colleagues, fellow veterans, and celebrities. They have also asked for privacy and respect during this difficult time.
They have also urged people to be more aware of the mental health challenges that veterans face and to support them in any way possible. They have encouraged people to donate to organizations that help veterans with PTSD such as Mission 22, Wounded Warrior Project, or Veterans Crisis Line.
“Please remember Neal for who he was: A loving husband; father; son; brother; friend; soldier; patriot; entrepreneur; influencer; adventurer; mentor; leader; hero,” the statement said.
“Please also remember that there are many others like him who are fighting their own battles every day. Please reach out to them if you can or support those who do. Please do not let their sacrifices go unnoticed or unappreciated.”
