Curtis Leon Davis, 83, passed from this life, Sunday, February 8, 2009. He was born May 19, 1925 in Eufaula, Oklahoma to Christopher "Lum" and Edith (Hood) Davis. Curtis was raised in the Texanna area of Eufaula where he attended school and worked on the family farm. He is a World War II Veteran, serving in the US Army in the Philippines and was awarded the Purple Heart. Following his military service, he worked civil service at the Navy Ammunition Plant in McAlester and Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City. He retired from the plant in McAlester in 1982 after 32 years of service. He was a member of Oktaha's Independent Freewill Baptist Church.Curtis is best known for his music. Credited for organizing the first bluegrass band in Oklahoma. He and his brother Olen performed as the Brushy Mountain Boys beginning in 1949 and in 1977 his daughters Lorrie and Mollie joined his band. They traveled in a five-state area playing at the top bluegrass festivals and concerts throughout Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Sharing the stage with bluegrass pioneers Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Reno and Smiley, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, the Whites and many other country artists. They also maintained live performances on radio and television in McAlester, Ft. Smith, Eufaula, Muskogee, Shawnee, Ada, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The Brushy Mountain Boys were also the hosts to a weekly Saturday night music show the "Country Social" in Checotah, Oklahoma. Davis was an avid historian, aficionado, teacher, mentor and inspiration to many young musicians in the bluegrass and country genres. Curtis is survived by his wife of 57 years Betty (Shropshire) Davis of the home. Daughters; Dell Bostic and husband Mike of Claremore, Mollie Jenkins and husband Billy of Del City; Eight grandchildren; Phillip, Beth (husband Michael Ragsdale), Jeff, Cody, Kyle, Colter, Curtis, Serra and Britt . Five great-grandchildren; Trinity, Kylie, Jaxon, Madison and Ethan. One brother Olen Davis and wife Margaret, sister-in-laws Marie Davis, Virginia Shropshire, Wilma Cooper and brother-in-law Joe Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Carl, Harmon and Roy Davis, and sister Christine Williams. Daughter; Lorrie Davis Stanton and grandson Paul Kurtiss Toon.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, February 11th, at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Checotah OK with Pastor Ben Hale and Jimmy Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Eufaula. Grandsons will serve as pall bearers.Arrangements are under the direction of Hampton Mortuary, 211 W. Okmulgee, Checotah, OK.
Published in the Muskogee Phoenix from 2/10/2009 - 2/11/2009