Brooks Curtis

Brooks Curtis, the son of McDonald Curtis and June Moody, was born at home in Buena Vista, east of Solomon, Arizona, on June 24, 1930. He was the fifth son and the ninth of ten children born into the family, which consisted of: Bernard, Kennedy, Lorraine, Belva, Brandt, Mignon & Betty Jo who died in infancy, Max, Brooks, and Gretta. He learned to work early on the family farm and dairy, always rising early to begin the day with his dad and brothers. They also worked on their father's, TV Cattle Ranch, north of Safford, and enjoyed cowboying together during roundup. After graduating from Solomon Elementary School, Brooks attended Safford High School, where he enjoyed playing on the football, Basketball, and Tennis teams, as well as developing his musical talents in the band and choir. He had a beautiful voice and shared it willingly throughout his life in church, school, and community choirs, quartettes, duets, and solos. While attending Safford High School, he served as Student Body President, and was selected to attend Arizona Boys State in Flagstaff. After graduating he attended Gila College in Thatcher, Arizona, graduating in 1950. After college he served his country in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War and was trained as a Radar Operator, however, when they learned he could type, he was assigned to Pusan to serve as Company Clerk or Personnel Administrative Specialist, as it was formally called until he was discharged. He was also called to serve as Group Leader for the LDS service men, and developed lifetime friendships with buddies Richard Nielson of Utah, and Bill Sipes of Colorado. He was also able to spend time with Gila Valley acquaintances, Jesse Pease and Spencer Palmer. His happiest moments of the war, however, was when he crossed under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on his way home and caught site of the magnificent Stars and Stripes fluttering in the breeze. After his return to the states, he met and married Myrna Hooper of Fort Thomas, while he was attending Eastern Arizona Junior College in Thatcher. They were married on February 2, 1955 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They just celebrated their 57th Wedding Anniversary. They are the parents of five children: Karen (Barry) Lamb, Donald Brooks (Juline Webb) Curtis, Pamela (Jeff) Martin, Spencer Leo (Jeanine Elliot) Curtis, and Richard Nielson (Danielle Hunt) Curtis. Their family and extended family was very close and enjoyed Graham Mountain outings, making homemade ice cream together, good food, BYU Football, and many wonderful family reunions on houseboats, Mexico, mountains, and farm throughout the years. Brooks was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. He served two Stake Missions and was in the bishopric in the Solomonville Ward with Ted Larson and Rex Barney. He also served as Scoutmaster, Sunday School President, Teacher, and many other callings. He especially enjoyed the time serving as temple workers in the Mesa Arizona Temple with his wife, for two years. Brooks served on the Graham County and Arizona Farm Bureau Board of Directors for many years and was President here in Graham County for eight years. He was a farmer and dairyman throughout his life until his retirement. He was a "People Person", and was loved by all who knew him. He will be remembered as a man who loved his Heavenly Father, an honest man of clean mouth and thoughts with a wonderful sense of humor, who never spoke unkindly of anyone. He was a man who loved to be surrounded by family and freinds, and of course loved to watch a good football game!