Leon Curtis

Leon Paul Curtis, 76, passed away Thursday, July 5, 2018 in Fort Worth.
Funeral service: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel, 100 Paint Pony Trail N., Fort Worth. Visitation and viewing: 9:30 a.m, prior to the service. Interment: 11:30 a.m., Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. Sunday-best attire for the funeral and Cowboy attire is appropriate for the burial service.
Leon was born on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1942 to Max and Vesta (Pettersson) Curtis in Price, Utah. Leon was the fourth child of eight. He was raised in Price and Woodside where he learned to be a cowboy. Leon graduated from Carbon High School, class of 1960, then attended Carbon Junior College for a year. He rode horses up and down the mountain in Woodside with his dad, their horse Dolly Madison, and the dog. Leon was a bronc rider and a bull rider in his younger days, worked as a prospector with his father, and joined the Army Infantry in December 1961 where he served honorably as did as three of his brothers. He broke his ankle during live action war games for which he spent the rest of the games in the Chester County Jail in North Carolina as an infirmary. (He loved preceding the telling of that story joking that he had spent time in jail, much to the chagrin of his wife!) He met his eternal sweetheart, Frances Hickox shortly thereafter at a rodeo in Lampasas, Texas. Johnny Cash got married in a fever and Leon and Frances got married in a gas station on August 24, 1963 in Valley Mill, Texas. They shared their love for what would be 55 years this August.
He enjoyed woodworking, hunting and leather craft. He made apple pies for all his neighbors and always had a few with him on every hunting trip. He also made the best beef jerky. Leon and Frances enjoyed dancing every Thursday night at the Grove in Granbury to Tommy Hooker's music, went to the rodeo every Friday, PBR (professional bull riding), and country music whenever possible. They frequently visited with their friends at Fincher’s Western Wear when they were at the stock yards. From his father, he inherited being a tease. He loved telling jokes and storytelling. From his momma, Leon received his devotion to God. He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served as a temple worker, high priest group leader, bishopric counselor, Sunday school teacher, and would help wherever was needed. Leon had a love of reading and could remember everything he read. He learned from his father the importance of work and worked 32 years at Bell Helicopter. He received an associate degree from T.C.J.C. In his 50's he went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Business from the Baptist University of Dallas.
Leon is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Marvin and Bill, and son-in-law, Russell.
Survivors: His loving wife, Frances; daughters, Tammy Smith of Fort Worth and Tina (Jon) Larson of San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren, Anthony Smith, Kimberly Jennings, and Lydia Hooton; five great-grandchildren: Tayven and James Smith, Skyla, Malana, and Leila Jennings and a future grandson; brothers, Verl of Grand Junction Colo., Earl of Salt Lake City, Utah, and younger brother, Nicholas of Salt Lake City, Utah; sisters, Karen of Costa Mesa, Calif., Wilma of Wellington, Utah; along with many nieces and nephews.

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