James Curtis

James R. (Jim) Curtis

James R. Curtis, a native Abilenian, was born February 20,1936. He passed away on Saturday, February 8th, at Northern Oaks Nursing Home. Funeral services will be at Hamil Family Chapel at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, with visitation Tuesday night 6:00 to 8:00.

His parents were Edward W. (Ed) Curtis and Katherine Arrant Curtis. The family owned and operated the E. W. Curtis Insurance Agency for a total of 59 years, ending in 1981.

Jim graduated from Abilene High School in 1954 and from Hardin- Simmons University with a B.B.A. degree in 1958. He began to work part time in the family business while in college and then became a partner in 1959 and sole owner in 1978. While at HSU, he played trumpet in the Cowboy Band and was named a distinguished military graduate from HSU's ROTC program. Following college, he earned the professional designation of Chartered Property-Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) in 1971. He was married in 1956 to the former Frankie Crow, who he met at HSU. He was honorably discharged from the Army as First Lieutenant after a total of eight years active duty and reserve time.

Jim is survived by his wife, Gail Webb Curtis, who he married in April, 1994; two daughters, Celeste Berta of Brownwood, and Cherie Dahlgren of Abilene; four grandchildren, Bailee Berta and Harmony Berta of Brownwood, Johnathan Heylin, Katie Wheaton with husband Nathan and one great-grandson Loukas Wheaton of Abilene.

Music was an important part of Jim's life, having played in five bands while in college and later in the Abilene Community Band. Jim and his wife Gail, helped to organize Abilene's community choir, the Celebration Singers in 1997. He also sang bass in the King James Version Gospel Quartet.

Jim was always an avid outdoorsman, hunting whatever was in season for well over 50 years. Many knew him as "10 Gauge," others as Jim "Catfish" Curtis.

He loved the Lord and his family and served as a choir member and later as minister of music for Elmwood Baptist Church and Crossway Baptist Church. He served as president of the Abilene Jaycees, president of the Abilene Association of Insurance Agents, board member of Abilene Chamber of Commerce, West Texas Rehab Center, and Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc. He served three years as commander of Abilene's Sons of Confederate Veterans Chief Clinton Camp #366, and was president of Celebration Singers and Gideons International Abilene Camp.

Burial will be in the family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Abilene.