Curtis William Brotherton

Through their lives, our parents had goals: Our mother succeeded at being an elegant lady and our father surpassed his goal of being a charmer. He was! He had that twinkle in his eye, he let you know that you were important, and what was concerning you was most important to him. I don't know of a man that was more loved, or respected. He made each and every lady in his life feel special and beautiful. For example, when Paula, Eileen's hospice nurse, saw his name on the new clients list she immediately requested him. After 3 years Curtis still greeted her with that sparkle in his eye.... yes, that was Curt the flirt. Don't misunderstand, it was all innocent, Eileen had him on a pretty short leash!

Yes, our Dad was a hero, even to 16 yr old boys. Never one to complain or get upset, instead he gathered people together to solve the issue of the day. For instance, when two budding wrestlers arrived in Pensacola, a grappler backwater, as the Station supply officer, the base gym's mats immediately needed replacement, excessing the old ones to Catholic high. He got things done, and he made people feel good about it.

He loved making people feel welcomed and part of the solution. It's funny, he used sports throughout his career to form friendships that forged teams. Even so, that in his last fitness report from Kanehoe, besides the recommendation for promotion, the Marine Col was so dumbfounded that this aging CDR could decimate any and all his young Marines on the racquetball court, that he concentrated his write up on it. Dad was recognized, at least by his racquetball partners, as one of the best until the cancer grabbed him 8 yrs ago. He had a great run!

He was a joy to be with, especially with the love of his life, our Mom. They danced their way through life, whether it be with Kiwanis at conventions, on Avant Garde floats and formals, or kicking it up at a dive bar. They loved and enjoyed life!

Curtis Is survived by his two sons: Jim (Gaylene) and Terry; and his five granddaughters: Shaye Brotherton, Jessica (Andrew) Matthess, Terrell (Karol) Hatzilias, Elizabeth Brotherton, and Erin Brotherton; and his five great-grandchildren: Aiden, Juliette, Haley, and Emma Matthess and Keira Hatzilias; and brother Dan (Pat) Brotherton. He is predeceased by Eileen, his wife of 69 yrs, and his great grandson Kegan Hatzilias.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 29th at Holy Spirit Catholic Church starting at 1130 followed by a Funeral Mass at 1230, and finally he will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1400.