Colonel Wesley James Curtis, US Army Retired, only son of Walter Jonathan and Annie Clara {Bashe} Curtis, was born in Fayetteville, Ark., on May 9, 1918, and died in St. John's Hospital, Springfield, Mo., of complications from Alzheimer's on April 13, 2008.
Wesley spent his youth in Seligman, Mo., where he graduated from high school prior to attending Drury College. After two years there, he enlisted in the US Army. He then received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, entering in July, 1939, and graduating with his accelerated class of January, 1943. While a cadet, Wesley met Irene Helen Kinnaird and they were married in her hometown of Garrison, N.Y., on November 23, 1946. Together they shared the adventures, joys and challenges of a military career and raised three children. Wesley was commissioned in the Infantry. He fought in the Luzon Campaign of 1945, in the Philippines, and afterward was on occupation duty in Japan. During the Korean War, he was wounded at Chosin Reservoir in November, 1950; he then commanded a battalion in the Spring, 1951, offensive. After attending the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, he commanded a battalion in Germany, taught at Ft. Leavenworth and again served in Korea. Promoted to Colonel in 1963, he served during the Vietnam War as a senior advisor and then post commander of Long Bihn, the largest US Army post there. In total, he served eight and a half years overseas. He finished his 30 year career supervising Army Reserves in New England. He was a permanent Colonel in the Regular Army. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge with star and the Purple Heart; his meritorious decorations were the Legion of Merit (twice), Bronze Star Medal (three times), Army Commendation Medal (three times) and Air Medal. Wesley retired from the Army in January, 1973, and he and Irene moved to Springfield, Mo., a year later. He worked for several years in the City of Springfield Planning and Zoning Office before retiring permanently. He served on the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church and, along with Irene, was instrumental in establishing the Springfield Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Wesley was a lifelong fan of Army football and the St. Louis Cardinals, and a reader of US military history and biography.
Wesley was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Betty Curtis; his brother-in-law and childhood friend, Robert Fawver; and many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife, Irene and his children, Carol E. Curtis and William R. Curtis, all of Springfield, Mo.; and his son, John W. Curtis and his wife, Margaret Sarkela of Greenwich, Conn.; his grandchildren, Sarah E. of New York, N.Y. and John V. of Greenwich, Conn.; his sister, Edith (Curtis) Fawver of Tucson, Ariz.; his niece, Sue (Fawver) Godshall, her husband, Kenneth, and children of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.; his sister-in-law, Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and nephew, John Kinnaird of College Park, Md.; and nephew Stephen Kinnaird, his wife, Amanda Moak, and children of Chevy Chase, Md. They and his surviving Drury "Boys of the Barn", West Point classmates, military comrades, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, will fondly recall his sense of humor, unfailing generosity, sincerity, integrity and dedication to his family and to "Duty, Honor, Country".
The family wishes to express their thanks for the compassionate care provided by the staff of Creekside at Elfindale, Dr. Raj Anand and the staff of Unit 7B of St. John's.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to NAMI or the Springfield Workshops, Inc.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m., in Christ Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Kenneth Chumbley officiating. Interment with military honors followed at 3 p.m., in the Exeter Cemetery, in Barry County, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visits for viewing were made at the funeral home Thursday afternoon and evening.
Published by News-Leader on Apr. 20, 2008
Wesley spent his youth in Seligman, Mo., where he graduated from high school prior to attending Drury College. After two years there, he enlisted in the US Army. He then received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, entering in July, 1939, and graduating with his accelerated class of January, 1943. While a cadet, Wesley met Irene Helen Kinnaird and they were married in her hometown of Garrison, N.Y., on November 23, 1946. Together they shared the adventures, joys and challenges of a military career and raised three children. Wesley was commissioned in the Infantry. He fought in the Luzon Campaign of 1945, in the Philippines, and afterward was on occupation duty in Japan. During the Korean War, he was wounded at Chosin Reservoir in November, 1950; he then commanded a battalion in the Spring, 1951, offensive. After attending the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, he commanded a battalion in Germany, taught at Ft. Leavenworth and again served in Korea. Promoted to Colonel in 1963, he served during the Vietnam War as a senior advisor and then post commander of Long Bihn, the largest US Army post there. In total, he served eight and a half years overseas. He finished his 30 year career supervising Army Reserves in New England. He was a permanent Colonel in the Regular Army. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge with star and the Purple Heart; his meritorious decorations were the Legion of Merit (twice), Bronze Star Medal (three times), Army Commendation Medal (three times) and Air Medal. Wesley retired from the Army in January, 1973, and he and Irene moved to Springfield, Mo., a year later. He worked for several years in the City of Springfield Planning and Zoning Office before retiring permanently. He served on the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church and, along with Irene, was instrumental in establishing the Springfield Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Wesley was a lifelong fan of Army football and the St. Louis Cardinals, and a reader of US military history and biography.
Wesley was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Betty Curtis; his brother-in-law and childhood friend, Robert Fawver; and many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife, Irene and his children, Carol E. Curtis and William R. Curtis, all of Springfield, Mo.; and his son, John W. Curtis and his wife, Margaret Sarkela of Greenwich, Conn.; his grandchildren, Sarah E. of New York, N.Y. and John V. of Greenwich, Conn.; his sister, Edith (Curtis) Fawver of Tucson, Ariz.; his niece, Sue (Fawver) Godshall, her husband, Kenneth, and children of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.; his sister-in-law, Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and nephew, John Kinnaird of College Park, Md.; and nephew Stephen Kinnaird, his wife, Amanda Moak, and children of Chevy Chase, Md. They and his surviving Drury "Boys of the Barn", West Point classmates, military comrades, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, will fondly recall his sense of humor, unfailing generosity, sincerity, integrity and dedication to his family and to "Duty, Honor, Country".
The family wishes to express their thanks for the compassionate care provided by the staff of Creekside at Elfindale, Dr. Raj Anand and the staff of Unit 7B of St. John's.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to NAMI or the Springfield Workshops, Inc.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m., in Christ Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Kenneth Chumbley officiating. Interment with military honors followed at 3 p.m., in the Exeter Cemetery, in Barry County, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visits for viewing were made at the funeral home Thursday afternoon and evening.
Published by News-Leader on Apr. 20, 2008
Colonel Wesley James Curtis, US Army Retired, only son of Walter Jonathan and Annie Clara {Bashe} Curtis, was born in Fayetteville, Ark., on May 9, 1918, and died in St. John's Hospital, Springfield, Mo., of complications from Alzheimer's on April 13, 2008.
Wesley spent his youth in Seligman, Mo., where he graduated from high school prior to attending Drury College. After two years there, he enlisted in the US Army. He then received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, entering in July, 1939, and graduating with his accelerated class of January, 1943. While a cadet, Wesley met Irene Helen Kinnaird and they were married in her hometown of Garrison, N.Y., on November 23, 1946. Together they shared the adventures, joys and challenges of a military career and raised three children. Wesley was commissioned in the Infantry. He fought in the Luzon Campaign of 1945, in the Philippines, and afterward was on occupation duty in Japan. During the Korean War, he was wounded at Chosin Reservoir in November, 1950; he then commanded a battalion in the Spring, 1951, offensive. After attending the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, he commanded a battalion in Germany, taught at Ft. Leavenworth and again served in Korea. Promoted to Colonel in 1963, he served during the Vietnam War as a senior advisor and then post commander of Long Bihn, the largest US Army post there. In total, he served eight and a half years overseas. He finished his 30 year career supervising Army Reserves in New England. He was a permanent Colonel in the Regular Army. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge with star and the Purple Heart; his meritorious decorations were the Legion of Merit (twice), Bronze Star Medal (three times), Army Commendation Medal (three times) and Air Medal. Wesley retired from the Army in January, 1973, and he and Irene moved to Springfield, Mo., a year later. He worked for several years in the City of Springfield Planning and Zoning Office before retiring permanently. He served on the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church and, along with Irene, was instrumental in establishing the Springfield Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Wesley was a lifelong fan of Army football and the St. Louis Cardinals, and a reader of US military history and biography.
Wesley was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Betty Curtis; his brother-in-law and childhood friend, Robert Fawver; and many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife, Irene and his children, Carol E. Curtis and William R. Curtis, all of Springfield, Mo.; and his son, John W. Curtis and his wife, Margaret Sarkela of Greenwich, Conn.; his grandchildren, Sarah E. of New York, N.Y. and John V. of Greenwich, Conn.; his sister, Edith (Curtis) Fawver of Tucson, Ariz.; his niece, Sue (Fawver) Godshall, her husband, Kenneth, and children of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.; his sister-in-law, Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and nephew, John Kinnaird of College Park, Md.; and nephew Stephen Kinnaird, his wife, Amanda Moak, and children of Chevy Chase, Md. They and his surviving Drury "Boys of the Barn", West Point classmates, military comrades, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, will fondly recall his sense of humor, unfailing generosity, sincerity, integrity and dedication to his family and to "Duty, Honor, Country".
The family wishes to express their thanks for the compassionate care provided by the staff of Creekside at Elfindale, Dr. Raj Anand and the staff of Unit 7B of St. John's.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to NAMI or the Springfield Workshops, Inc.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m., in Christ Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Kenneth Chumbley officiating. Interment with military honors followed at 3 p.m., in the Exeter Cemetery, in Barry County, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visits for viewing were made at the funeral home Thursday afternoon and evening.
Published by News-Leader on Apr. 20, 2008
Wesley spent his youth in Seligman, Mo., where he graduated from high school prior to attending Drury College. After two years there, he enlisted in the US Army. He then received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, entering in July, 1939, and graduating with his accelerated class of January, 1943. While a cadet, Wesley met Irene Helen Kinnaird and they were married in her hometown of Garrison, N.Y., on November 23, 1946. Together they shared the adventures, joys and challenges of a military career and raised three children. Wesley was commissioned in the Infantry. He fought in the Luzon Campaign of 1945, in the Philippines, and afterward was on occupation duty in Japan. During the Korean War, he was wounded at Chosin Reservoir in November, 1950; he then commanded a battalion in the Spring, 1951, offensive. After attending the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, he commanded a battalion in Germany, taught at Ft. Leavenworth and again served in Korea. Promoted to Colonel in 1963, he served during the Vietnam War as a senior advisor and then post commander of Long Bihn, the largest US Army post there. In total, he served eight and a half years overseas. He finished his 30 year career supervising Army Reserves in New England. He was a permanent Colonel in the Regular Army. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge with star and the Purple Heart; his meritorious decorations were the Legion of Merit (twice), Bronze Star Medal (three times), Army Commendation Medal (three times) and Air Medal. Wesley retired from the Army in January, 1973, and he and Irene moved to Springfield, Mo., a year later. He worked for several years in the City of Springfield Planning and Zoning Office before retiring permanently. He served on the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church and, along with Irene, was instrumental in establishing the Springfield Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Wesley was a lifelong fan of Army football and the St. Louis Cardinals, and a reader of US military history and biography.
Wesley was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Betty Curtis; his brother-in-law and childhood friend, Robert Fawver; and many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife, Irene and his children, Carol E. Curtis and William R. Curtis, all of Springfield, Mo.; and his son, John W. Curtis and his wife, Margaret Sarkela of Greenwich, Conn.; his grandchildren, Sarah E. of New York, N.Y. and John V. of Greenwich, Conn.; his sister, Edith (Curtis) Fawver of Tucson, Ariz.; his niece, Sue (Fawver) Godshall, her husband, Kenneth, and children of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.; his sister-in-law, Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and nephew, John Kinnaird of College Park, Md.; and nephew Stephen Kinnaird, his wife, Amanda Moak, and children of Chevy Chase, Md. They and his surviving Drury "Boys of the Barn", West Point classmates, military comrades, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, will fondly recall his sense of humor, unfailing generosity, sincerity, integrity and dedication to his family and to "Duty, Honor, Country".
The family wishes to express their thanks for the compassionate care provided by the staff of Creekside at Elfindale, Dr. Raj Anand and the staff of Unit 7B of St. John's.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to NAMI or the Springfield Workshops, Inc.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m., in Christ Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Kenneth Chumbley officiating. Interment with military honors followed at 3 p.m., in the Exeter Cemetery, in Barry County, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visits for viewing were made at the funeral home Thursday afternoon and evening.
Published by News-Leader on Apr. 20, 2008
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WESLEY J CURTIS
COL US ARMY
WWII KOREA VIETNAM
MAY 9 1918 - APR 13 2008
PURPLE HEART
COMBAT INF BADGE & STAR
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