An old soldier, father, friend has gone to his Heavenly home to join his loved predecessors in final rest today. Edward F. Curtis, Jr., 84, passed peacefully at his “home” with family and friends at Ben Atchley State Veterans Home after a lengthy illness.
He was born June 27, 1932, the first child of the late Mary Fairchild Curtis (Seward) and Edward Curtis, Sr. in Knoxville, TN. He is preceded in death by his younger brother, Wilbur Curtis, stepfather Claude Seward, his beloved aunts Susie, Mary, Margaret and Uncle Joe Curtis.
Survivors include his loving wife, Alva Jean Curtis; sons, Fred (Jeanette) Brannon, Eddie (Tina) Brannon; daughters, Sharon Curtis-Flair (Larry); Charlotte Curtis-Hathaway; grandchildren Jason (Melissa) Brannon, Charlie (Tara) Brannon, Maggie Brannon and Jessica Brannon, great-granddaughters Keegan and Tatum; Nieces Victoria Curtis Frazier (Claude) and great nephew Ayden; Malinda Curtis Fortner (Mark) and great nephew Matthew Claiborne and great niece Morgan Claiborne; Nephew Wilbur Curtis (Tabatha) and great niece Lexie Curtis; along with a host of special relatives, cousins and dear friends.
Ed attended Old Knoxville High School and was in ROTC, leaving his last year to serve in Korea in Sept. 1950 at the age of 18 (obtaining his GED later). He served in Army National Guard in Korea in 1950-53. He served with First Calvary, Fifth Calvary Regiment, Love Company, 2nd Battalion regiment in Korea and Japan. He received numerous awards but his most prized was the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Marksmanship Badge.
He loved his family, made numerous friends easily with whom he regularly corresponded His true love was his wife, Alva Jean (Knox) whom he met at the Cherry Park Inn in Knoxville after returning from his service with the Korean War.
He loved adventure, traveling to New England in autumn and engaging in heated political debates with friends, and family but mostly preferred spending time tending an enormous garden every year.
Cooking was a passion for him that he passed along to his family. Whipping up exotic, spicy dishes and Southern fare, he insisted on feeding everyone who came to his home.
He spent his career following the service in sales until later joining the US Postal service where he worked until his retirement.
Ed loved helping others and would appreciate donations to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans in his honor.
The family will receive friends Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918. Family and friends will meet in the chapel of Berry Lynnhurst, Friday, April 14th at 11:00am for the funeral service, A.D. Baxter, Chaplain for Smoky Mountain Hospice officiating. The procession to Greenwood Cemetery for interment will follow. Military Honors will be conducted by Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard.
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