Edward "Ed" Curtiss

Edward Curtiss Obituary Edward Harry Curtiss was born July 21, 1924 in Los Angeles, California to Arthur and Vesta (Launder) Curtiss. The youngest of the family, Edward was born 12 years after his closest sister. Being the baby brother to three older sisters, they each took on the role of being Edward's "little mother". Tragically, the children's father died when Edward was just a couple of months old. To help support her family during the depression years, Edward's mother baked and sold cakes out of their home.Spending his childhood in Los Angeles and being so close to the ocean, Edward developed a passion for fishing at an early age. As a result, he would fill his Saturday mornings with the task of mowing lawns - earning just enough money to ensure his afternoons could be spent on a fishing boat. In his teens, Edward joined Boy Scouts which prepared him for ROTC, a program he enjoyed and excelled at. Upon high school graduation, Edward received his draft notice in 1942. It was no surprise, when signed up for the Navy, he jumped at the opportunity to board the USS Edgar G. Chase. In 1944, the Edgar G. Chase was part of a massive convoy in which several tug boats were escorted to England. These tugs were involved in the help of the upcoming Allied Invasion off the coast of Normandy. After the War, Edward became a part of history when his ship, the Lowry, was commanded to deliver an atomic bomb detonator to the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. This took place nearly a year after the end of World War II. Edward witnessed three more atomic bomb detonations during his service before being honorably discharged in 1948. Following his service to country, Edward returned home to Los Angeles where he attended UCLA and completed a degree in Manufacturing Engineering. He pursued a career with Lear Siegler retiring after 37 years. A skilled handyman, Edward could fix nearly anything. One day, while he was in the local hardware store with his mother looking for supplies, Edward met a beautiful, young woman named Helen Tollefson. Helen was a college student, working at the store, during her summer break. Edward left the store, after purchasing the items he had come for, but not without asking Helen out on a date. Happily, she accepted the offer. The two then began a courtship and eventually married on June 24, 1949. The newlyweds made their home in the West Los Angeles where they welcomed their three children: Christine, Jeff and Stephen. It was important for Edward to share his love of the ocean with his family, therefore; the young family spent a lot of time at the beach, but also plenty of time at the family cabin on Big Bear Lake - vacationing there every summer. The Curtiss family was very involved in their church, where Edward served as an Elder, sang in the choir, and led a marriage class over the course of several years. Many of the members of their church came to be like family, and are still considered as such today. Edward loved people and he loved his family. He had such a big heart as demonstrated when he and Helen took on "extra kids", with whom they still talk to today. In addition, God blessed Edward with the gift of easily making friends with nearly anyone. This was especially evident when in his retirement he would make his daily trip to the supermarket where everyone knew him; including the cashiers, greeters and stockers. All of Edward's family and friends were proud when Edward was honored by the Tulsa World with the front-page story. Anyone that knew Edward knew him to be detailed and thorough. He was always looking to improve and re-engineer things though Helen wasn't always thrilled with his detailing. Like the time he numbered all the electrical outlets in the house to match its corresponding circuit breaker in the garage. No matter what the task, Edward was committed and invested his whole heart. Surrounded by his loving family, Edward passed away December 4, 2018 at the age of 94.Family members he leaves to cherish his memory are: his wife of 69 years, Helen Curtiss of the home; children, Christine Schantz and husband, Paul of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Jeff Curtiss and wife, Denise of Tulsa, and Stephen Curtiss and wife, Judy of Broken Arrow; grandchildren, Rebecca Nelson and husband, Matthew, Nathaniel Schantz and wife, Lindsey, Laura McFarlin and husband, Douglas, Lisa Fuller and husband, Bradley, and Joshua Curtiss and wife, Bree; great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Timothy Nelson, Hannah and Zander Schantz, Ainsley McFarlin, Natalie Albright, Sidney and Andrew Fuller, and Nicholas Curtiss. Also, sister-in-law, Alberta Darling and brother-in-law, Les Tollefson both of CA. Edward was preceded in death by his parents and sisters. Services to honor and remember the life of Edward H. Curtiss will be 2:00 pm Friday, December 14, 2018 at South Tulsa Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers please contribute to South Tulsa Baptist Church. Choose either the Lottie Moon fund, or "other" and write in Pastor Eric's book fund.Service South Tulsa Baptist Church 10310 S. Sheridan Road Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 2:00 PM To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward "Ed" Curtiss, please visit our floral store. Read More

Edward "Ed" Curtiss

July 21, 1924 - December 4, 2018