Obituary for John Fred Curtis
John Fred Curtis, 93, passed peacefully in his sleep January 13, 2024. He was born near Florissant, CO to Fred V. and Helen (Walby) Curtis. The family lived and ranched between Cripple Creek and Guffy Colorado. John attended rural Teller County schools riding on horseback. In 1944 his family moved to the San Luis Valley and he graduated from Hooper High School in 1949.
A Korean War Veteran, he served in the US Navy from 1950-1954 aboard the aircraft carriers Bone Homme Richard and Essex Epic as a metal smith. After the military, John worked with his Uncle Russel Walby learning plumbing and heating trade in Colorado Springs.
He met the love of his life Claudia (Hlatki) at a square dance in Green Mountain Falls in 1959, they were married 63 years. In 1961 he received his Master Plumbing license and he owned and operated Curtis Plumbing & Heating Co. specializing in new construction.
The thing John enjoyed the most was building, and together with Claudia they designed and built many beautiful custom homes.
Retiring in 1985, at the young age of 55 he led the family to Alaska where John built a log home and enjoyed the natural wonders of the nation’s last frontier. A man of adventurous spirit and an avid outdoorsman he loved exploring, camping, gold prospecting, 4 wheeling, hunting, and fishing with nephews, family, and friends. John purchased and restored GMC Class A Motorhomes and traveled most of the US and Canada including 10 or more round trips to Alaska from CO.
God gave John many talents, he built beautiful custom homes, could fix anything, created fine turquoise and gold nugget jewelry, and was always ready and happy to help others with their homes and projects. Everything he did was solid, just like him.
John’s easy-going manner, laughter, and love for children along with his ease in imparting his extensive knowledge to them, made him a popular figure and strong role model to his adoring grandchildren, nephews, nieces and to all the young people he met along the way. Despite being a hard-working busy man, he always had time for others and opened his home, heartfelt love, counseling, and help to anyone in need.
He lived a good long life with a family who adored him, made lifelong friends wherever he was, make a positive impact on the lives he touched and of all who knew him. John’s Christian Orthodox faith as well as his treatment of his fellow man, exemplifies him as the epitome of a LIFE WELL LIVED.
John is survived by his wife Claudia (Hlatki) Curtis South Fork CO, daughters Yvonne (Curtis) Hoffman South Fork CO, Laurie Curtis Alamosa CO and two Grandchildren Luke Hoffman Montrose CO and Ava Hoffman South Fork CO. Sister Doris (Ted) Ross Albuquerque NM. Charles (Joan) Curtis, Creede CO. Ted (Jeri) Curtis, Alamosa CO. Sisters in law Roberta (Glenn) Walls Parker CO. Karen (Joe) Sisneros Colorado Springs, CO. Pamela Hlatki Denver CO., and many nephews and nieces.
John is preceded in Death by his Parents, Brother Donald (Sue) Curtis, Brother George (Margaret) Curtis and Sister Violet (Jed) Freel. Brother-in-law Gerald (Myrle) Hlatki and Sister-in-law Beverly (Richard) Crockett and numerous nephews and nieces.
Pallbearers are Nephews Clifton Curtis, John Wayne Curtis, Todd Curtis, and Godsons Michael Hlatki, Andy Walls and Joshua Sisneros.
A Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Rito Alto Cemetery Chapel, County Road X, in Moffat. Interment will follow services in the Rito Alto Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Rito Alto Cemetery Association in John Curtis’s name c/o John Albert, 63394 Co Rd. U60, Moffat, CO 81143.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes, and words of comfort for John's family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com
A Korean War Veteran, he served in the US Navy from 1950-1954 aboard the aircraft carriers Bone Homme Richard and Essex Epic as a metal smith. After the military, John worked with his Uncle Russel Walby learning plumbing and heating trade in Colorado Springs.
He met the love of his life Claudia (Hlatki) at a square dance in Green Mountain Falls in 1959, they were married 63 years. In 1961 he received his Master Plumbing license and he owned and operated Curtis Plumbing & Heating Co. specializing in new construction.
The thing John enjoyed the most was building, and together with Claudia they designed and built many beautiful custom homes.
Retiring in 1985, at the young age of 55 he led the family to Alaska where John built a log home and enjoyed the natural wonders of the nation’s last frontier. A man of adventurous spirit and an avid outdoorsman he loved exploring, camping, gold prospecting, 4 wheeling, hunting, and fishing with nephews, family, and friends. John purchased and restored GMC Class A Motorhomes and traveled most of the US and Canada including 10 or more round trips to Alaska from CO.
God gave John many talents, he built beautiful custom homes, could fix anything, created fine turquoise and gold nugget jewelry, and was always ready and happy to help others with their homes and projects. Everything he did was solid, just like him.
John’s easy-going manner, laughter, and love for children along with his ease in imparting his extensive knowledge to them, made him a popular figure and strong role model to his adoring grandchildren, nephews, nieces and to all the young people he met along the way. Despite being a hard-working busy man, he always had time for others and opened his home, heartfelt love, counseling, and help to anyone in need.
He lived a good long life with a family who adored him, made lifelong friends wherever he was, make a positive impact on the lives he touched and of all who knew him. John’s Christian Orthodox faith as well as his treatment of his fellow man, exemplifies him as the epitome of a LIFE WELL LIVED.
John is survived by his wife Claudia (Hlatki) Curtis South Fork CO, daughters Yvonne (Curtis) Hoffman South Fork CO, Laurie Curtis Alamosa CO and two Grandchildren Luke Hoffman Montrose CO and Ava Hoffman South Fork CO. Sister Doris (Ted) Ross Albuquerque NM. Charles (Joan) Curtis, Creede CO. Ted (Jeri) Curtis, Alamosa CO. Sisters in law Roberta (Glenn) Walls Parker CO. Karen (Joe) Sisneros Colorado Springs, CO. Pamela Hlatki Denver CO., and many nephews and nieces.
John is preceded in Death by his Parents, Brother Donald (Sue) Curtis, Brother George (Margaret) Curtis and Sister Violet (Jed) Freel. Brother-in-law Gerald (Myrle) Hlatki and Sister-in-law Beverly (Richard) Crockett and numerous nephews and nieces.
Pallbearers are Nephews Clifton Curtis, John Wayne Curtis, Todd Curtis, and Godsons Michael Hlatki, Andy Walls and Joshua Sisneros.
A Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Rito Alto Cemetery Chapel, County Road X, in Moffat. Interment will follow services in the Rito Alto Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Rito Alto Cemetery Association in John Curtis’s name c/o John Albert, 63394 Co Rd. U60, Moffat, CO 81143.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes, and words of comfort for John's family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com