James Carleton Curtis, age 93, passed away at Southern Oaks Care Center in Pawnee on December 7, 2024. He was a resident of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

He was born in Corry, Pennsylvania son of the late Mildred (Button) Curtis and Carleton John Curtis.

James (Jim) grew up in Columbus, Pennsylvania on the family owned Elmview Dairy Farm. He graduated from Corry Area High School and attended Jamestown Business College in Jamestown, New York.

He stayed on the family farm and went into partnership with his three brothers and father. Jim managed the processing and bottling of milk from registered Jersey cows, made butter and cottage cheese. He was particularly proud of his eggnog and holiday nog which he made for sale during the Christmas holidays.

He moved to Garland, Texas in 1976. He worked at several occupations including Shepp's Dairy and Pepperidge Farms until he purchased a peach orchard in Palestine, Texas. Upon retirement he moved to Stillwater.

He was a devoted Christian and devoted church attendee. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Stillwater. He participated in several mission trips and studied to be a lay minister. He volunteered at Habitat.

Throughout his life he was an active member of the Republican Party and during elections worked the polls in many positions. An avid baseball fan, he followed first the St. Louis Cardinals and in later life the Texas Rangers. He always maintained a garden wherever he lived and enjoyed doing body work on cars.

James is preceded in death by both parents, and his daughter, Jean (Curtis) Saporito.

Survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 73 years Geraldine (Fay) Curtis of Stillwater and sister Amy (Curtis) Pinegar, Salem, Oregon.

He had seven children and is survived by, John Curtis of Idaho Springs, Colorado; Jane Curtis, Stillwater; Janet Curtis Smeltzer (Timothy), Rowlett, Texas; James Curtis (Lou Vic), Sunnyvale, Texas; Jeffrey Curtis, Coral Springs, Florida; Jennifer Curtis Hansen, Terlingua, Texas; and son-in-law, David Saporito.

He was proud grandfather to 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Jim's family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Woody Jenkins, the physicians, nurses and staff at Stillwater Medical Center and Southern Oaks Care Center for their excellent care, support and compassion that they provided during this difficult time. Cheryl and Venus, at Southern Oaks, were especially instrumental in providing care to Jim.

Jim will lie in state at Strode Funeral Home, 610 S. Duncan Street, Stillwater, OK. 74074, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 and Thursday, December 12, 2024.