Grandpa Curtis

Okay, I had full intentions of posting this on his birthday: February 17.  But February 17th came and went and I didn't even think about it until today!  Four days late.  So I'm posting it today.  This is what I spoke at his funeral in October for the great grandchildren's thoughts.

Orson Curtis

February 17, 1912-October 7, 2010

I teach 8th grade at a junior high in Chandler, Arizona.  Every year I love to introduce my students to my own bit of celebrity.  My great grandfather went to the very same high school they will be attending next year: Chandler High- only it was 80 years ago!  That little tidbit shocks every single teenager, every year.

I have always considered myself so fortunate to have known my great grandfather for so long.  It's a gift that all of us had the opportunity to know our great grandfather.  Not only was he a GRAND parent, but he was a GREAT one too!

Grandpa loved his great grandchildren.  Anytime you'd talk to him, he'd have stories of his other grandchildren to share with you.  He loved talking about his pictures too.

He loved to tell us stories.  As one of his Arizona offspring, he loved to brag about how he was "3 days younger than the state of Arizona."  Since he was raised in Arizona, he loved to talk to us about how it had changed from the horse and buggy days he remembered.

He made each of us feel so loved.  If you called to tell him you were visiting, he was ready.  The only thing he wouldn't miss was church, anything else could be rescheduled.  He was there to meet you, even with his walker, the minute you pulled up.  He walked you out too and waved goodbye.  When we were younger and could stay at their house, he made sure to buy the food you liked- just for you!  He was a big fan of his powdered milk, but knew that none of his great grandchildren liked the stuff.  When we were there, he stocked up on galloned milk, like we were used to.

He was a great email correspondent, too!  Usually he'd reply the same day you wrote to him.

One thing all of his great grandchildren remember was his garden.  Wow!  In Sandy, he had a small field of healthy crops and then in Seal Beach he took a simple flower bed and transformed it into a luscious and successful vegetable and flower garden.  Those plants were his pride and joy.  He loved to share them with us.

One important part of Grandpa's legacy for us will be his testimony in word and deed.  He loved to watch BYU devotionals and Conference and discuss them with us.  He was great with genealogy and keeping family records up to date.  He was a wonderful example of service.  We got to see how much he loved Grandma through his actions and service to her.  He also served many of the people in his ward as he offered rides to people in his ward who weren't able to drive anymore.  I know as one of the older great grandchildren, I felt his service firsthand as he came to baby blessings, births and holidays offering his shuttle and babysitting services too.  His commitment to the gospel was evident in all he did.

While we were blessed to have the opportunity to know our own "celebrity," we were even more fortunate to have known such a truly GREAT grandpa.  As we remember him today and for years to come, we will fondly recall his happy face, his love, his service and, ultimately, his 98 years of greatness.