Howard Dempsey Curtis, 79

Howard Dempsey Curtis was welcomed into the arms of his loving Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, June 4, 2010, in Kalispell. Howard was 79 years old and resided in Kalispell for most of his adult life. He was born on Nov. 18, 1930 in Rupert, Idaho, the son of William and Inez (Hunt) Curtis. Howard served four years in the United States Navy as a journalist during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. Howard and his wife Carol were married on Sept. 9, 1955, in Kennewick, Wash. They moved to Kalispell in 1956. Howard enjoyed life, being an avid hunter, outdoorsman, gardener and singer. He served on the Creston Volunteer Fire Department for 11 years and as a Creston School board member for six years. As a professional, he was a very skilled and knowledgeable optician, as well as trained in the custom manufacturing of prosthetic eyes. Howard is survived by Carol, his loving wife of 54 years; his son, Randal, and wife Jill Curtis, of Bigfork; daughter, Robbin, and husband Ron Taylor, of Black Diamond, Wash.; son, Rodney, and wife Teresa Curtis, of Bigfork; son, Ronald, and wife Shirleen Curtis, of Billings; his sister, JoEtta Turner, of Spokane Valley, Wash.; his brother, Joseph Curtis, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many valued friends. Graveside services for Howard will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Fairview Cemetery on Middle Road east of Kalispell, with Pastor David Beaulieu of Kalispell officiating. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Howard s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Howard s tribute wall.