I found a James Curik who filled out his World War I Draft Reg. Card 7/5/1918. He was living at the Ridpath Hotel, Tacoma, Pierce Co., WA. He was b. 5 May 1893, Bohemia, Austria. He was single and occupation was fireman marine; not employed at present. He was medium & stout with blue eyes & light hair. He had declared intentions to become a naturalized citizen. A note at the bottom of the card said he "reported at Camp tried to enlist at Camp Lewis [WA] & was order to register him".

However, he did work in the Merchant Marine or with passenger ships. Vaclav Curik arrived 8 May 1941 in Seattle. He was 48, est. b. 1893. Ship's name was Coldbrook and departed from Changhai, China via Vancouver, British Columbia. He was a baker cook, 5' 3", weighed 182. "claims c/m Portland Feb 1940" No explanation about cryptic remark but I assume it's something to do with naturalization. If that's true, you can get copy of his naturalization papers from the Multnoah Co., OR Court House.

Vaclac Curik arrive 17 Aug 1944 in Seattle. He was 51, b. abt. 1893, race=Behemian, ship Charles Christenson, 30 yrs at sea, steward, physical=mark=appendectomy back rt, departed from Honolulu, Hawaii.

Vaclac Curik, arrived 16 Sept 1950, age 57, b. abt. 1893, race=Bohemian, ship name, Colorado, steward, 5'4" 225 lbs, naturalized Portland, OR 1940, arrived in Seattle from Okinawa, Japan.

Vaclav Curik arrived 19 Jan 1953, Seattle, age, 59, b. abt. 1894, race=Czech., ch. cook, ship Oregon Mail from Yohokama, Japan.

Vaclac Curik, arrived 3 Feb 1953 from Vancouver, B.C., age 59, b. 1894, 38 yrs sea, ch. cook, 5'4" 260 lbs, USA=naturalized, ship Oregon Mail departed from Vancouver, B. C.

There were many more similar entries. Source: Ancestry.com and National Archives.

A Vaclav Curik died 12 June 1960 in Multnomah Co., OR per death cert #7835. Source: OR Death Index 1903-1998. I'd think his home port was Portland since he was naturalized & died there. I don't know how to get obits from Portland. You can check the rootsweb.com, choose database, choose Oregon, choose Multnomah County. Good Luck!