SGM (Ret) John Curtis (Lebanon)'s Obituary
John Henry Curtis, son of Nathan and Noma A. Richardson Curtis, was born June 26, 1936, in Pawnee City, Nebraska. He departed this life Wednesday, January 9, 2019, in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-two years, six months, and fourteen days.
In 1958, he married Trudy, and they shared forty-five years together and lovingly raised their children. Trudy passed away in 2003.
On February 11, 2005, he was united in marriage to Sharon Maxine Cox and they shared the last thirteen years.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Margie.
John is survived by his wife, Sharon, of the home; two daughters, Annette Payne, of Athens, Georgia, and Lisa Baker, and her husband, Jeff, of Springfield, Missouri; four sons, Michael Curtis, and his wife, Kathy, of Waynesville, Missouri, Cliff Curtis, and his wife, Pamela, of Springfield, Missouri, Jeff Norberg, of Ozark, Missouri, and Troy Norberg, of Springfield, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dora Wissler, of Pawnee City, Nebraska, and Mary Reist, and her husband, Rex, of Seneca, Kansas; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Nebraska and graduated from Burchard High School, in Burchard, Nebraska, in the Class of 1954. He entered the military as a young man and faithfully served his country in the United States Army for twenty-eight years. He earned and was presented with many awards and medals during his years of service. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and in Germany and earned the rank of Sergeant Major before retiring on July 31, 1982. After retiring, he and Trudy made their home in Springfield, Missouri, where John did small appliance repairs. He later bought a farm near Plad, Missouri, where he and Sharon lived for a few years. They then moved into Lebanon and made their home.
He enjoyed hunting and liked to tinker around the farm. He and Sharon have enjoyed spending time in Florida during the cold months in Missouri. He was a very patriotic gentleman who was very proud of his military service.
John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. He will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a dedicated soldier, and a good friend to many. He will be greatly missed.
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