John Fred Curtis, 93, passed peacefully in his sleep Jan. 13, 2024. He was born near Florissant, Colo., to Fred V. and Helen (Walby) Curtis. The family lived and ranched between Cripple Creek and Guffy, Colo. In 1944, his family moved to the San Luis Valley, and he graduated from Hooper High School in 1949.
A Korean War Veteran, he served in the US Navy from 1950-1954 aboard the aircraft carriers Bone Homme Richard and Essex Epic as a metal smith. After the military, John worked in plumbing and heating trade in Colorado Springs.
He met the love of his life Claudia (Hlatki), and they were married for 63 years. In 1961, he received his Master Plumbing license and he owned and operated Curtis Plumbing & Heating Co. specializing in new construction. God gave John many talents, incredible carpentry skills, he could fix anything, and created fine turquoise and gold nugget jewelry, but the thing John enjoyed the most was building, and together with Claudia they designed and built many beautiful custom homes.
Retiring in 1985, the family moved to Alaska and spent many years enjoying the nation’s last frontier. He loved exploring, camping, gold prospecting, 4 wheeling, hunting, and fishing with nephews, family, and friends.
John’s easy-going manner, laughter, and love for children along with his ease in imparting his extensive knowledge to them, made him a popular figure and strong role model. Despite being a hard-working busy man, he always had time for others and opened his home, heartfelt love, counseling, and help to anyone in need.
He lived a good long life with a family who adored him, made lifelong friends wherever he was, had a positive impact on the lives he touched and of all who knew him. John’s Christian Orthodox faith as well as his treatment of his fellow man, exemplifies him as the epitome of a LIFE WELL LIVED.
John is survived by his wife Claudia (Hlatki) Curtis of South Fork, Colo., daughters Yvonne (Curtis) Hoffman of South Fork, Colo., Laurie Curtis of Alamosa, Colo., and two grandchildren Luke Hoffman of Montrose, Colo., and Ava Hoffman of South Fork, Colo., sister Doris (Ted) Ross of Albuquerque, N.M., Charles (Joan) Curtis of Creede, Colo., Ted (Jeri) Curtis of Alamosa, Colo., sisters-in-law Roberta (Glenn) Walls of Parker, Colo., Karen (Joe) Sisneros of Colorado Springs, Colo., Pamela Hlatki of Denver Colo., and many nephews and nieces.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald (Sue) Curtis, brother George (Margaret) Curtis and sister Violet (Jed) Freel, brother-in-law Gerald (Myrle) Hlatki and sister-in-law Beverly (Richard) Crockett and numerous nephews and nieces.
Services will be held at Rito Alto Church and cemetery County Rd X, Moffat, Colo., on Jan. 27, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Pallbearers are Nephews Clifton Curtis, John Wayne Curtis, Todd Curtis, and Godsons Michael Hlatki, Andy Walls and Joshua Sisneros.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Rito Alto Cemetery Association in John Curtis’s name c/o John Albert.
