Curtis Eugene Sewell, or Curt to his many family and friends, was born on August 22nd, 1967 in Siloam Springs, AR, the son of Newman and Louise R. (Gourd) Sewell. He was raised in a home with two brothers and three sisters, Jerry, Baby Girl, Vernon, Laverna, and Lena. He grew up first in Arkansas, then Texas and finally in Oklahoma. Curt was of the Baptist faith and a member of Johnson Prairie Church in Moodys, OK. He attended Peggs Grade School and finished at Hulbert High School. While growing up, Curt loved playing ball and particularly fast pitch later in life. The family had a beautiful home next to14 Mile Creek, and it was here he would go swimming, hunted crawdads, went gigging for fish, hunted arrowheads, and camped under the stars. After school was though, he worked at various jobs until he realized his calling in life was as a Master Craftsman. He was truly talented and made exquisite bows and arrows, blow guns, darts, tanned hides in the traditional method of using brains, flintknapping and Atlatl. He truly touched his ancestors when creating the beauty and function of his Seminole/Creek/Cherokee Ancestors. These pieces have since found homes in museums and individuals across the USA, Japan, Australia, and beyond. He was one of the original founding members of the Cherokee Cornstalk Society which began as get together with friends and family in a field and attended shoots for many years until his health declined. He personally competed with his best friend Albert Shade. He placed first, second, third place or an honorable mention in many shows he entered. When he wasn’t creating art, he was creating many happy memories of those he loved most in life, his companion, Carol, his brothers and sisters, and his many nieces, nephews, cousins and fellow artisan and friends. He was a joker that wanted to make you laugh. He enjoyed sharing a meal and some fun with the family and friends he adored. He was appreciative of the sun coming up each day and the joys of the sunset in his own backyard. Most importantly, Curt never failed to feel gratitude for the dawn of a new day and the Creator who made it so enjoyable. For all the creations that Curt was called to make, the end came quite suddenly on March 1st, 2024 in Tahlequah, OK, surrounded by the family that he loved most. Curt was 56 years old and will be greatly missed.
Curt has gone home to rest with his grandparents, Leonard R. and Louanna (Dry) Gourd and George and Mollie (Powell) Sewell. He also joins his mother and father, his baby sister, Baby Girl, and his nephew, Daylon Sewell.
Those left to cherish his memory include his brothers and sisters, Jerry Sewell and wife Dianna of Park Hill, OK, Vernon Sewell of Hulbert, OK, Laverna Bolin and husband Dale of Bunch, OK, and Lena Garcia of Wewoka, OK. He also leaves the help mate, the constant source of help and encouragement, Carol Bilby of the home in Hulbert. There are also many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones far too numerous to mention.
Funeral services for Curtis Eugene Sewell will be held on Friday, March 8th, 2024 at Reed-Culver Funeral Home at 1:30 PM with Pastor Sam Keener officiating and Brother Albert Shade reading the eulogy.
The family will host a visitation on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at Reed-Culver Funeral Home beginning at 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM. He will be laid to rest next to his father, Newman Sewell.
Pallbearers for Curtis include Donnie Birdtail, Albert Shade, Gary Ashmore, Charles Gann, Darren Dirksen, and Freddie Farrell. His honorary pallbearers include Rudy Dale Bolin, Ryan Chase Bolin, J. Carmen Garcia, Keaton J. Rock, Mitchell Gourd, Aaron Sapp, Nathaniel Sapp, James Gourd, Vincent Bluebird, Rodney Gann, Thomas Bluebird, Ross (Soggy) Gourd Jr., Dennis Gourd Jr., Jack Gourd, Tyler Gourd, Kevin Gourd, John Ruff, Ron Bilby, and Nathan Blackfox.
