John D. Curtis
May 5, 1937 ~ October 21, 2024
John Douglas Curtis was called home to Jesus on October 21 st , 2024, while surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire. John was born at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Douglas and Gwendolyn Curtis on May 5th, 1937. He was a 1955 graduate from Eau Claire High School and went on to attend UW-Eau Claire and UW-Madison. After graduating from UW-Madison with a History degree, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1962. He was deployed to Harrogate, England early in 1963. He was a part of the US Army Security Agency and worked as an interceptor of Soviet telegraph signals. Much of the information about his unit and their mission during that time is still heavily redacted. While stationed in England he met the love of his life, Diane Atkinson, at a dance and they were married on February 5th, 1964. After his tour of duty, he and his bride returned to the States and had two daughters, Jane and Sarah. Upon his return he worked with his father, Doug, at Curtis Realty. When his father retired, John and Diane rebranded the business into “Apartments By Curtis” (ABC Rentals). They spent the next 50 plus years providing housing to students. In the late 1980’s they became grandparents when Warren and Elizabeth were born.
John's mantra was, "I volunteer." Over the years, John was involved with and helped to create many groups, including: the Bassmasters, the Randall Park Neighborhood Committee, he played the role of Santa Claus for over a decade for Downtown Eau Claire Inc., West Grand Avenue Business Association, the Historic Preservation Society, the Landmarks Committee, the Apartment Association, the EC County Republicans, the EC County Board, Christ Church Cathedral (Vestry, choir, and acolyte) the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and sports teams at Eau Claire High School (lettered in football and track & field) and UWEC (cross country). He was involved with different municipal committees which helped save the Livery, helped create a design for Phoenix Park/ Farmer's Market, which included a space for bands to play outdoors, and helped start Eau Claire's first Community Garden and Skatepark. John always wanted to write a book. Though he never did, he did contribute to many publications: books by the Leader Telegram and Landmarks Committee; Images for VolumeONE, Hidden Treasures, and the Leader Telegram, the House Hunt. He also provided props for the CVTG and Dennis Miller for his movie on Uniroyal. He is credited with playing RB Gillette in Miller's "Voices from the Past." John's love for his hometown Eau Claire, was unparalleled. John would often say “Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the best place in the world” and he truly believed it. John wore his passions on his sleeve, and it was hard not to get caught up in them. One of them was entrepreneurship. Both his daughters created businesses in Eau Claire. Jane opened Wireless Outlet, and his daughter Sarah shared his love for history and opened a store on West Grand Avenue called Eclectica on Grand. John’s passion for Eau Claire eventually led him to open a specialty store next door, the River Trader. John seemingly took pleasure in sharing his vast knowledge of obscure Eau Claire history with anyone who walked through the door. Carrying on with the entrepreneurial tradition his grandson Warren also started a storage and U-Haul business in Iron River, Michigan. John and Diane were very proud of their children and grandchildren and supported
them in all their endeavors.
John was a huge fan of Wisconsin sports teams, but his favorites were Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Wisconsin Badgers. But John's favorite pastime was going dancing with his wife, Diane, and would see their favorite band, the Thundermen, as often as possible. He was an avid Sportsman and according to him there were three seasons: fishing, hunting, and road construction. John had an affinity towards dogs, but his springer spaniels were his favorite. The ability to hunt and retrieve was a very important quality that he looked for in a dog. He would confidently claim there were no greater dogs than springer spaniels. He also participated in a coffee group multiple times a week. He and his friends would discuss all sorts of topics, but
it was primarily focused on politics and what makes the world go around.
John was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. John and Diane were heavily involved in the lives of their grandchildren and in many ways parents to them as well. He told the best stories, most of them contained a little bit of a fisherman's exaggeration, making them hard to beat. The advice he would give was always playful and often contained a grain of mischief. His granddaughter Elizabeth gave John and Diane the blessing of great grandchildren, whom he adored. He thoroughly enjoyed having the sound of children playing, once again in his home. John was a fighter, much of the last decade was spent going in and out of hospitals. Even with the health issues he remained jolly and optimistic throughout everything. His upbeat, positive, can-do attitude served as an inspiration for what can be overcome. John will be deeply missed by his family and friends. John is survived by his two daughters, Jane Elizabeth Stevens (Curtis) and Sarah Ann Curtis (Christopher Fraser); two grandchildren, Warren Stevens (Kerri Weecks) and Elizabeth (Dustin) Ruxton; five great grandchildren, Declan, Joslyn, Lucille, Aidan, Lorence and a cousin, Ted (Kathleen) Balcom.
John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Diane Curtis, his parents, Douglas and Gwendolyn Curtis and great grandson, Desmond Ruxton.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 AM, Friday, November 15, 2024 at Christ Church Cathedral, 510 S. Farwell Street, Eau Claire, with Father Aaron Zook and Reverend Russell Tate officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Christ Church Cathedral Columbarium with military honors performed by American Legion Post 53 and VFW Post 7232. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral; Cremation Services, Eau Claire is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.
