Curtis Wayne Silvey

Curtis was born in Remington Indiana, April 5th, 1963, to Helen (Wehmeyer) and Wayne Silvey.

As a child, Curtis and family moved annually for most of his younger life. He had 3 older sisters, Constance “Connie” Silvey, Marla Silvey and Carol Silvey, and a younger brother David Silvey. Moving so frequently made life an adventure for the Silvey kids. Making new friends in a new town became a common theme. After living in several Mississippi River towns In Iowa, Curtis spent grades 3, 4 and 5 in Springfield, Ohio. The summer before fifth grade the family moved to Columbia to be near extended family made up of both his mother’s and father’s families. He attended Russel Blvd, West Jr. High, and Hickman High School, graduating high school in 1981.

Curtis then attended Tulsa University and became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha “Pike House” Fraternity. After a year Curtis returned to Columbia and finished his degree at Columbia College. Later in life, Curtis attended an overseas master’s program. He stayed in Norway for approximately 6 months and earned a master’s degree in International Business from the University of Phoenix. Curtis enjoyed those months very much. One story I recall him telling was when one of his friends in Norway said American’s “were weak” and Curtis challenged that person to a pull-up competition. Curtis completed around 50 pull-ups: the Norwegian about ten. Go Curtis! He may have been skinny, but he was not weak, physically, nor mentally.

Curtis was a skilled chess player. He read every book in his extensive chess library. Our family played chess for fun when we were kids, but Curtis took his game to a high level.

Curtis worked many jobs in his life. He shucked Oysters in Florida, worked on a horse ranch in Kentucky with his lifelong friend Louis, and he found a final work home in the insurance industry-- an industry well-known to the Silvey family. As an adult, Curtis lived across the U.S., from South Carolina, to Florida, Kentucky, and Phoenix. He finally came back to Columbia and worked for the Columbia Insurance Group. He was dedicated and worked long hours. Yet Curtis found time to spend with friends from work and outside of work. He had many friends, in various walks of life in and around Columbia and across the nation.

December 9, 2022, Curtis Wayne lost his battle with cancer. He fought hard and never gave up hope, even when his doctors did. He spent his last months supported and surrounded by friends and family.

He is survived by older sister Carol Silvey and younger brother David Silvey, both of Columbia, along with nephews Ian Simons and Will Simons of Omaha Nebraska, nephew Andrew Silvey and niece Heather Silvey, nephew Jackson Silvey, and dozens of extended family members from the Silvey, Simons, Sieckmann, Wehmeyer, Alexander, Dometrorch and Wilmsmeyer families.

Curtis will be laid to rest at Memorial Cemetery in Columbia Missouri near his mother, father, and sisters, Connie and Marla, who preceded him in death along with grandparents and several aunts and uncles who preceded him in death. A Gathering of friends will take place 1 PM – 3 PM on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Memorial Funeral Home.