Donald Curtis

Donald (Don) Curtis passed away on the afternoon of February 24th at his long-time home in Arvada. While the surgery he had undergone on February 4th had been a success and his mind was as sharp as ever, his physical strength and toughness, that had for more than 90 years sustained him through everything he chose to take on, was not enough to allow him to recover. Don was born in Blair, Nebraska, the first-born son to Albert and Mabel Curtis and was followed by 8 brothers and sisters. After graduating from High School in Gothenburg, Nebraska, Don joined the Air Force and was promptly shipped over-seas to be stationed in England. While there, he met and fell in love with Jeanie, to whom he was married until her passing in 2013. Don and Jeanie made their way back to Nebraska where they settled first in Gothenburg and then moved to Arvada, Colorado. Their three children, Garry Curtis, Corrie Ostermiller and Marcie (John) Hunt lived close by in Colorado. Don started working with his dad as an oiler as a kid and later, just like his dad, became an expert at operating a drag line. When Don moved to Colorado, he took a job at Henderson Mine where he retired as a Shift Boss. Don loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter still out hunting big game into his 80’s. Don was a registered gunsmith and was famous for his hand-crafted rifles. Always busy, Don still found time to be a devoted dad and grandfather. Don always had projects underway, finishing basements, building yard fences, installing and maintaining sprinkler systems and repairing his cars as well as his daughters’ and grandchildren’s’. In his “spare” time he enjoyed his garden (although he battled mightily with the squirrels in the race to harvest). In addition to his 3 adult children, Don is survived by his brothers, Harold, Richard and John as well as his sisters Marilyn and Judy. Don was also blessed to have his grandchildren Krista Campbell, Kara (Alex) Noack, Danielle Campbell, Rachel Rathman, Tara Rathman and Leah (Bret) Robards, 13 great-grandchildren and during the summer of 2020 he was able to meet and hold his first great-great-granddaughter Elena. Don was a remarkable person. While seemingly quiet, his dry wit and sense of humor would disarm any stranger and soon make them a friend. He was absolutely devoted to his family and friends throughout his life and was always the first person to show up when you needed help. His passing leaves a cavernous void that will be impossible to fill. Services will be held at 10AM, Friday, March 12, 2021 at Saint Paul's Community Church, 8001 W. 23rd Ave, Lakewood, CO. Burial will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery.