Lowell Curtis

Lowell E. "Curt" Curtis, 97, Malvern, AR passed away September 1, 2010. He was born October 02, 1912 in Randolph, Iowa the third son of George W. Curtis and Sarah Angeline Cowger Curtis. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 66 years Kathryn Shaw Curtis, and three brothers; Millard, Virgil and George Jr, two sisters-n-law's; Mary Elaine Curtis and Charlotte Curtis. He retired after 38 years of service with Natural Gas Pipeline Company and was one of the original employees of the company when it located in Malvern in the early 1950's. He was a member of the St. Paul Methodist Church in Malvern. He was a veteran of WWII having been assigned to the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur in Japan, the Philippines and New Guinea. "CURT", as he preferred to be called, was an accomplished athlete in his youth and adult years and his love for all sports never waned after his participation halted. He was a star basketball player for his high school in Strahn, Iowa and for Omaha University, Omaha Nebraska during his college years. When he was no longer able to "run the court" in independent basketball leagues, he took up the sport of bowling and was a top-notch bowler here in Malvern in singles and mixed leagues and one point won the team even of the Southern Association Bowling tournament with several friends and teammates from the city. "Papaw" was a remarkably fun-loving gentle man, always smiling and a loyal, helpful and honest friend to everyone who knew him. He leaves to cherish his memory his only child Kristi States and husband Edward of Sherwood, AR, his granddaughter Keely Zavala of North Little Rock, AR, his grandson Curt States of North Little Rock, AR, his four great-grandchildren; Kayla States of Beebe, AR; Cory Aiken of Benton, AR, Cody Aiken of North Little Rock, AR; Brittney States of North Little Rock, AR; his Great-great granddaughter, Jada of Beebe, AR; three sisters-n-law Rose Marie Shaw and Betty Shaw of Red Oak, Iowa, and Leslie Curtis of Emerson, Iowa along with several nieces and nephews. The entire family, along with the Yorkies, Cadee and Molly, "his little girls" will be missing him daily. The family wishes to thank Dr. Larry Brashears and his entire staff for the many years of excellent care given to our father and grandfather. We also wish to thank his friends and caregivers, Jo Ann Burrow, Gladys Batchelor, and Toni Parks for their daily devotion and loving care. Funeral arrangements are by Atkinson Funeral Home in Malvern, AR. Visitation will be held on Friday September 03, 2010 at Atkinson Chapel from 6 to 8 pm, funeral services held at Atkinson Chapel on Saturday September 04, 2010 at 10:00 am, with the Rev. Tony Burrow officiating and the eulogy will be given by his nephew Ron Curtis of Hastings, Iowa. Interment will follow at OakRidge Cemetery in Malvern, Arkansas.

Lowell Curtis

October 2, 1912 - September 1, 2010