James “Jim” Rodger Curtis, 84, of Gerald, passed away on Feb. 4, 2023, at Sunset Health Care Center in Union.
He was born on May 22, 1938, to Bernie Raymond and Elma Susan (nee Strode) Curtis in Piper City, Ill.
He was a military veteran serving in the U.S. Army’s renowned 82nd Airborne Division. He was the owner of C&C Construction and was a skilled carpenter and general contractor who built many homes and commercial buildings in the Farmington and Arcadia Valley area. Jim was dedicated to his family, was a star basketball player in the Gilman, Ill. school system, loved country music, and his dogs.
He was proceeded in death by parents, Bernie and Elma; sister, Betty Andrews; son, Lee Curtis; daughter, Sandra Lafollette; and granddaughter, Jamie Curtis Murphy.
Jim is survived by wife of almost 60 years, Doris Jean Curtis (nee Hoblit); children Susan (Steve) Johnson of Gerald, Michael (Lisa) Crum of Kimberling City, James (Barbara) Curtis of Belleville, Ill., and Damon (Lynn) Curtis of Bremerton, Wash.; grandchildren, Steven Johnson, Adam Johnson, Deama Helms, Jacob Curtis, Christina Curtis, Joseph Curtis and Crystal Curtis; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Bernie (Donna) Curtis of Pontiac, Ill., Kenneth (Sandy) Curtis of Calvert City, Ky., and Earnest (Norma) Curtis of Gilman Ill.; along with many nieces and nephews and a special son-in-law, Stan Lafollette of Doe Run.
Interment will be in the Arcadia Valley Memorial Park cemetery in Arcadia, with a graveside service on Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the United States.
