John Curtin

John E. Curtin was born July 16, 1922 on a farm north of Colby, KS and died June 26, 2015 in Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everest & Jessie Curtin. He was also preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses including: Richard & Virginia Curtin and Erma & Marvin Cox of Atwood, KS, Jean & Raymond Mallory of Colby, KS, and Marie & Mori Katsuma and Merle & Robert Pearson of Denver, CO. John was also predeceased by his grandson Andy Jorgensen of Denver, CO.

John is survived by his children and spouses Scott & Heather Curtin of Chicago, IL & Park City, UT, Chris & Nancy Curtin, Leawood, KS & Paradise Valley, AZ, and Carole & Fred Jorgensen of Denver, CO. John is also survived by grandchildren, Christina Knight & Stephanie Weaver of Tulsa, OK, Nicholas Curtin of Jenks, OK, Caroline McGah of Chicago, IL and Grant Curtin, Kansas City. Great grand children include Jeffery & Timothy Knight and Collin & Lucas Weaver of Tulsa, OK and Nathan, William & Sabrina Curtin of Jenks, OK.

John grew up on a farm in Rawlins County, KS until WWII, when he served as a Sergeant in the Army. He was assigned to the Aleutian Islands and in Washington, DC. After serving in the Army John returned to Colby where he lived to his mid 80s when he moved to Denver, CO for the remainder of his life.

John graduated from Colby High School where he was on the wrestling team. During his working career he was a co-owner of Curtin-Upchurch Motors and Colby Distributing. John was also the Manager of the VFW Club in Colby and the Elks Lodge in Hoxie, KS.

John was an avid sportsman and passed on this passion to his family. Some of his best memories were fishing with them in the midwest, Canada and Alaska. John also enjoyed the annual pheasant season and was a regular on opening day for many years.

John was a voracious reader and loved about any kind of fiction. He also was an outstanding card player, be it poker or bridge, and enjoyed both games greatly. He was also a sports fan, following the Braves and Kansas State sports for many years. He attended a number of KSU bowl games with family and enjoyed those trips immensely.

John was best known to his family and friends as a man that liked people. Also a master story teller, which included a great deal of laughter and a certain measure of good scotch.

Services for John were held on July 1 at Greenwood Community Church, Greenwood, CO. There will also be a reception in Colby, KS on July 16th at 5:00 pm at the City Limits Grill for John's friends and family to celebrate a life well lived. Contributions can be made to the Mayo Clinic for Alzheimer’s Research at www.mayoclinic.org/give or to Mayo Clinic, Dept of Development, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or by donating to the Thomas County Historical Society in Colby, KS.