Gary Curtis

Gary David Curtis was born to Cleve and Eunice Nelson Curtis on February 5, 1937. Gary was the youngest of 9 children. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and his children, Kathi Martin (Roger), Kelly Cherry, Dale (Janet) and Mindy Hale, Carolyns children, Gary, Rusty and Scott Jackson, 31 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by four brothers, Dean, Bruce, Kay and Phil Curtis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Brothers Carl and Alden and Sisters Maureen McEuen and Clara Bennett. Gary lived his entire life in the Gila Valley, growing up in Thatcher and moving to Safford when he married Judie Lincoln in 1955. He worked with his Dad, Cleve at Curtis Chrysler Plymouth and purchased the business from his father in the 1960s, later renaming it Curtis Motors. He married Carolyn Jackson in 1977 and they opened Curtis Real Estate, which still remains open today. Gary won numerous awards for real estate sales, and once was awarded top sales person for the state of Arizona. He was very involved in the local community serving as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the Lions Club, president of the Graham Greenlee Board of Realtors and Exaltor Ruler of the Elks. He was also involved in state as well as local government, holding the office of Mayor of Safford and was later appointed to the newly formed state Lottery Commission, and remains its longest serving member, for over 14 years. In his early years, Gary enjoyed hunting and fishing and until his death, frequented their home in Mexico which he spent many months of the year with his wife, Carolyn and their family. Gary and Carolyn also have a cabin at Turkey Flat on Mount Graham and their family enjoyed many years of summers in the cool pines. Gary was a generous man who quietly helped many people. He had that wonderful Curtis sense of humor and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community. Funeral services for Gary will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 20th Street chapel in Safford. Interment will be in the Safford Cemetery.