Obituary for Arthur Allen Curtis
Arthur A. Curtis passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on June 15, 2022. He will be remembered for his humor, wit, passion for knowledge and education, service to his country and community, and most importantly, his love of family.
He was born on March 13, 1933, the oldest of three children born to Dudley and Francis Curtis in Big Rapids, MI. After graduation from Breckenridge High School in 1952, he joined the Navy training in the Naval submarine and sonar schools. He served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service from 1952 to 1956 in New London, Conn. In 1955 he married the lifelong love of his life, Joan Pope. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended Grand Rapids Junior College and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree in education in 1967 from Michigan State University. His teaching profession led him to the Battle Creek Public Schools in 1960 where he inspired many children, initially as teacher at Washington Elementary School, then as an elementary principal for many years at Post and Lamora Park Elementary Schools. His dedication to excellence in his profession resulted in an Excellence in Education Award from Michigan State University. He retired from the Battle Creek Public Schools after 33 years of service to the youth of his community through his work as educator, a council member for the Calhoun County Child Abuse and Neglect Council, and the Battle Creek Rotary Club. After his retirement, he went on to work and volunteer at the Willard Public Library in Battle Creek where he assisted patrons in research and continued to nurture his own passion for reading. His respect for the military continued throughout his life and he provided over 1700 hours of service to the military honor guard at Fort Custer National Cemetery providing funeral honor guard services for veterans over the years.
Although his career and profession were a vital part of his life, nothing meant more to him than his family. He and his wife, Joan, had a true love of family, having five children who were the joy of his life. His family continued to grow as his own children married and had families of their own, having twelve grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren over the years. He loved nothing more than spending time together with them, especially as a much beloved Papa to his grandchildren.
His beloved wife Joan preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by the family he loved, including his children, Michael Curtis (Pamela), Christie O’Hara (Jeffrey), Scott Curtis, Kathy Lichtenberger, and Carla Crooks (Michael) as well as by his twelve grandchildren, their spouses, and nine great grandchildren. Arthur was an exemplary human being who lived a full life of love and service to others. He will be sorely missed by the many whose lives he touched. May he forever rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either:
Children Trust Michigan, which works to strengthen and expand child abuse and neglect prevention across Michigan: https://childrentrustmichigan.org/Store/public/ProductDetails.aspx?categoryID=59&productID=1002
Willard Public Library, 7 W. VanBuren St.,49017 Battle Creek, Michigan or online: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/383211873
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 269-788-9800. www.baxterfunearl.com
He was born on March 13, 1933, the oldest of three children born to Dudley and Francis Curtis in Big Rapids, MI. After graduation from Breckenridge High School in 1952, he joined the Navy training in the Naval submarine and sonar schools. He served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service from 1952 to 1956 in New London, Conn. In 1955 he married the lifelong love of his life, Joan Pope. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended Grand Rapids Junior College and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree in education in 1967 from Michigan State University. His teaching profession led him to the Battle Creek Public Schools in 1960 where he inspired many children, initially as teacher at Washington Elementary School, then as an elementary principal for many years at Post and Lamora Park Elementary Schools. His dedication to excellence in his profession resulted in an Excellence in Education Award from Michigan State University. He retired from the Battle Creek Public Schools after 33 years of service to the youth of his community through his work as educator, a council member for the Calhoun County Child Abuse and Neglect Council, and the Battle Creek Rotary Club. After his retirement, he went on to work and volunteer at the Willard Public Library in Battle Creek where he assisted patrons in research and continued to nurture his own passion for reading. His respect for the military continued throughout his life and he provided over 1700 hours of service to the military honor guard at Fort Custer National Cemetery providing funeral honor guard services for veterans over the years.
Although his career and profession were a vital part of his life, nothing meant more to him than his family. He and his wife, Joan, had a true love of family, having five children who were the joy of his life. His family continued to grow as his own children married and had families of their own, having twelve grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren over the years. He loved nothing more than spending time together with them, especially as a much beloved Papa to his grandchildren.
His beloved wife Joan preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by the family he loved, including his children, Michael Curtis (Pamela), Christie O’Hara (Jeffrey), Scott Curtis, Kathy Lichtenberger, and Carla Crooks (Michael) as well as by his twelve grandchildren, their spouses, and nine great grandchildren. Arthur was an exemplary human being who lived a full life of love and service to others. He will be sorely missed by the many whose lives he touched. May he forever rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either:
Children Trust Michigan, which works to strengthen and expand child abuse and neglect prevention across Michigan: https://childrentrustmichigan.org/Store/public/ProductDetails.aspx?categoryID=59&productID=1002
Willard Public Library, 7 W. VanBuren St.,49017 Battle Creek, Michigan or online: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/383211873
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 269-788-9800. www.baxterfunearl.com