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| A. Craig Curtis (1943-2011) |
Alton Craig Curtis was a beloved son, father, grandpa and friend. He was a dreamer. He was
tender hearted, kind, imaginative, inventive, creative and talented in many ways. His brother Mark
recalls: "He had a very good sense of humor and could turn a dull moment into a happy one with his
imagination and wit." His cousin, Kelly adds: "He had a genuine and captivating smile that made you
feel glad you were with him." He could make something out of nothing. He had strong work ethic,
morality and was a free thinker. When others were living their lives by the book, he chose to live by the
calling of his own heart. This is not an easy task; following your heart. It takes great courage to trust in
one's self and because of this; he was greatly misunderstood by many people. His father relates: "Craig
was not the ordinary person, he was different. That said, it isn't necessarily bad. And many of us have
come to the same conclusion, that he was extraordinary. "
He had a great love of the performing arts, comedic acting, song and dance in particular. In his school
years, dad was a cheer leader and took tap dance classes. In college, he even majored in dramatic arts.
As an adult, he had a stint with karaoke. He took singing seriously, practicing his songs at home before
he went and performed them publicly. Dad was a writer of stories and enjoyed reading stories allowed
in a theatrical way. He was a natural actor. Dad was left handed, and we heard him say more than a few
times;"Lefties have Rights too!"
Alton Craig's legacy: JoAnna invited Alton Craig to a workshop in February of 2010. They were instructed
to have the invited person partner up with whoever invited them. So mom and dad were partners. Then
they had to ask each other this question: "what is it that you would like to acknowledge about me".
Mom's response to dad was "I think you would like to be thought of and remembered as a good and
valiant man and for your posterity also- although they never knew you." It took dad a moment, but he
wholeheartedly agreed. Alton Craig and JoAnna's wish is for his children, grandchildren and future
posterity to know him for the good and valiant man that he was.This is his story.
His story begins with his parents and siblings:
Samuel Frederick and Emmeline Hastings Curtis:
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| Emmy and Fred |
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| Fred and Emmy |
Alton Craig's parents both grew up in the
desert region of Arizona under very stringent circumstances - this is where Craig's story begins. His
mother, Emmeline Hastings, had blue eyes and brown hair and was born at home on a farm December
2, 1913 in Mesa, AZ to her parents Joseph and Amanda C. Kempe Hastings. She died at home May 19,
2005, Mesa, AZ. Emmeline recalls: "As a youngster, I was tall and "leggy" and thought that was just fine
as people "looked up" to me." She loved animals and the outdoors, but understood the need to eat and
was not afraid to hunt for food. In 1933 she attended BYU for 2 years and transferred to and eventually
graduated from Arizona Normal (ASU) in 1936 and secured her first teaching job in Solomonville,
Arizona. She taught there for three years and then moved to Safford to teach two years at the Jr. High.
This is where she met her future husband, Fred. Family and education were very important to her.
His father, Samuel Frederick Curtis, was born June 22, 1918 in Safford, Arizona to his parents Ammon
and Mary Jane Slade Curtis. Fred recalls: "On May 20, 1936, I graduated from Safford High School. There
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were 46 of us in the class. We went down and had a party by the river and as boys will be boys, I climbed
up a cottonwood tree; too high for safety. It was not strong enough to hold me and I fell, right down to
the ground where I landed on my feet. I heard a pop as if a limb had broken, but it was the cartilage
breaking in my knee. It swelled up and never went back like it was before and from then on, I had to
favor it. This one incident affected the rest of my life." November 1938 he was called to serve a LDS
mission in Germany. He was only there a few months when war broke out and he was transferred to the
northern states of Ohio, Illinois and Indiana to finish his mission-November 1940. While he went off to
serve a mission, Emmeline waited. It seems she couldn't wait very long because Emmy made a trip to
New York with some of her friends to have a visit with Elder Curtis who was still on his mission.
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| Arizona Republic, 09 Mar 1941, Sun, [First Edition], Page 27 |
And
when he returned, the friendship they shared before his mission took a serious tone, becoming a
courtship and were married May 28, 1941 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. They started their family in
Mesa and finished in Blythe where they lived for 34 years. They were years of hard work and struggles.
Alton Craig loved his mother and father very much and was close to them all throughout his life.
Together, Samuel Frederick and Emmeline Curtis had 6 children; 3 boys and 3 girls. Sam born April 8,
1942, Alton Craig born August 26, 1943, Carol Kristen, Claudia Jerrell Mark, and Gayle.
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| Baby Craig and Emmeline |
They were a close family
who loved each other very much and still do. Growing up, there were many adventures with
rattlesnakes and guns and dinner time laughter.
Claudia Curtis Lines remembers "I have wonderful memories of mealtime around our dinner table while
growing up...everyone sharing their day and activities. Dad would give observations of his day on the
farm, the people he met, the animals he observed like snakes, the mountains and their beauty, the
weather, the breakdowns of the pump...and life in general always leaving us with the feeling that
tomorrow would top that day. Craig would always be engaged in adding comments that would send us
into gales of laughter. We left the table feeling loved by each other and loved by our Father in Heaven
and grateful for our family. I looked forward to the next evening for the fun we shared!" Thank you
Craig.
His brother, Mark recalls: "Craig was a good friend to me. He listened and kept his opinion about things
private but let me go on and on about what I thought. I was always welcome at Craig's home.
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| back row Emmeline holding baby Craig, Fred is behind far right |
He was
quiet yet I knew things were going on in his head. There was a divine discontent inside that I could not
stand to keep quiet about sometimes. When I tried to penetrate his shell to get inside and have a joust
or two, he quickly shut the occasion down by changing the subject or not saying anything. He did not like
to quarrel or exchange barbs with anyone. He wasn't good at it nor did he get any satisfaction from
winning any of those kinds of conversations like many people do now days. I respected that and never
tried to engage him again. Craig and I had many things in common. I found that I was very much like him
in some ways. When I was little, I found that I would stand down rather than engage anyone with
negative talk. I too, did not like to joust or exchange barbs. I did however find that I needed to express
myself and disclose my thoughts, unlike him. Craig sent me pictures of his family as they came to him
and JoAnna. I treasured those pictures and loved to look at them. I enjoyed his family as they grew up.
We had Sunday dinners together and went on picnics at the park. We enjoyed the company and had many enjoyable times singing and playing the piano. Later in life, as things changed in his family, I still
loved to be around him. I always gave him a big hug when I left his house on visits. I always called him
my big brother because that was how he was to me. We never did agree on very much. Even though
that was the case, it never bothered me, because he was doing what he wanted to do and being the way
he wanted to be. It did bother me in a sense that I still couldn't figure him out, but I learned to accept
him as he wanted to be in his life."
His sister Carol Hatch relates: "Craig lived swiftly and fast in many respects. I can remember him as a
little girl following him around and I guess I was in the way because he would tell me to "go away".
Some of my most fond memories were at the dinner table. We always had dinner together. I do not
remember our dad having to travel much and be away he was always there for the good meals our
mother would prepare. We would start a conversation about some subject matter and Craig would pick
up on some comment and turn it into something funny. It seemed that it would be that way for years;
he was our entertainer, and a good one. I can remember once he made the comment that he wanted to
be a radio announcer. I thought that when he got back off his mission he would pursue that field of
study, Communications. Our table in those days was long and oval shaped, with tube of metal welded to
the backside of a disk. The top was Formica; it was the perfect table for our family. It was comfortable
and allowed us to move around it and even clean in all the corners. We were very happy and enjoyed
our meals with dad's many stories of rattlesnakes and then Craig would leave us with a smile on our
faces. I still smile about those times. I remember the Saturday meals of good beans and homemade hot
bread. Emmeline's bread would last for a week.
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| Craig middle with his sisters Carol and Claudia |
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| Darling Craig on left, brother Sam right |
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| Fred holding his girls and Craig far left |
We would come home from school and have cinnamon
toast or toast and jam, or toast and honey. We were skinny in those days because we walked
everywhere. Sundays for years we had either big juicy hamburgers and potato chips or Mom's special
meat loaf. OH the good times. The fond memories. Craig was full of ideas and life around him was
interesting and he made everything seem fun. He was the older brother that smoothed everything over
and we moved on. He lived fast in the service for our country. He gave up time and put in the effort to
defend; this made changes come into his life. I have to this day felt bad because he came back different.
I respect him for the service rendered in the armed forces. He came back quieter and much more
reserved, He joked around but with a different twist. He was still good at making one laugh. He is a
brother, a father, uncle and grandpa. He deserves to be addressed as such. It shows respect. I feel at this
time he will have some degrees of happiness and his memory of his life's contribution on this earth will
be remembered for how he treated each one of us. He was kind and respectful to Fred and myself and
showed this same respect to our father. He was a big help to him and was always ready to be by our
father's side. I thank him for being my brother and for being a part of our family. I thank him for being a
father to 8 children. He has such beautiful children and grand children. May we always remember the
positive side of him, I know I will and I hope the next life will be a teacher for him and things will
improve to be better. Thank-you Craig."
His father shares further insight to Alton Craig's life: "After coming home from his service in Vietnam his
personality took on a more serious tone. He was not quite so light-minded; he was a little more quiet,
prone to have his own thoughts. To show this trend in his personality, allow me to relate an experience
in his life. While living in Ehrenberg Arizona, with his family, he was hired by the State of Arizona as an
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inspector. Everyone was delighted that he had found this promising job. But his stay there was not to
be. During the breaks in his daily tasks there, and in the less busy times, he did not blend into the
sociality with his coworkers. He cared not for the small talk, he cared not for the off-color jokes nor
smutty language, but preferred to read or to indulge in his own thinking. He was dismissed from his
duties as a non-compatible employee. Was it unacceptable behavior? Not really. Just positively
different, a good indicator of his righteous upbringing."
His arrival:
Alton Craig Curtis arrived at 6:50pm on August 26, 1943; a Thursday. He was delivered at Good
Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, AZ weighing in at a healthy 8lbs, 9oz and 21 inches in length. He fell in
line as the 2nd oldest of 6 siblings. Emmeline writes: "He was a congenial, cuddly and easy going baby
and grew up to be a fine young man."
His father, Fred remembers his arrival: "...August 26th is the day Craig came into the world, I well
remember the day. Craig would be our second son just 16 months after Sam was born. We looked
forward to Craig's coming, because he would be a playmate for his brother Sam and his cousin Kelly.
That hot afternoon, my brother Mel and I were castrating a newly purchased load of young pigs as we
were in the hog feeding business. So on that afternoon Emmeline drove up with her suitcase packed and
in great pain, she motioned for me to come to her. Craig had decided to come. We had agreed that if
she had to go to the hospital before quitting time, I would drive her. Well the tasks of finishing our job at
that moment couldn't wait neither could the new baby. The pigs were squealing, Emmeline was
moaning and groaning with pain and I was stinky and dirty. I really had no choice, Craig took priority. I
left the hogs with Melvin. I jumped in the car and we started for Phoenix which was 20 miles away. The
highway went right through the middle of Mesa and right to the middle of Tempe, a two-lane highway.
Just before we got to Tempe, I became drowsy, I couldn't seem to shake the sleep off, even with
Emmeline's moaning and groaning and urging me to hurry. So we changed places and she, that brave
lady, drove herself on to the hospital, with me trying to get a wink or two so I could help. It's hard for me
to understand why I wasn't excited, and with the excitement, I couldn't stay awake. It's no wonder that
Craig came into the world sleepy, with that kind of an example. Well what do you know, as soon as we
arrived at the hospital and checked in, Craig gave up the effort. He gave up his insistence and settled
down. It was a welcome relief, to pause for a moment and rest. But there I was still stinky and dirty. The
doctor could not tell us when Craig would arrive. Emmeline and I, had a word of prayer for direction. It
was decided that I should go back home. Emmeline was in good hands, Craig had gone to sleep, and I
needed a bath." Baby Alton Craig was delivered without complications.
It is interesting to consider the setting where Alton Craig spent the first eight years of his life. His father,
Fred, describes the conditions under which the Curtis Family was living at the time Craig was born:
"Emmeline and I were living in a one room cabin, described as Rambo's cottages, at the corner of Main
& Greenfield roads (a rural area at the time). It had one double bed, two chairs and a small table, a
kitchen with a sink and stove, a shower and a stool, which occupied the space of about 12' x 25'. If either
of us wanted to change our mind we had to go outside to do it. Sam had a small crib. Now with Craig
coming, there just wasn't any more room in that cabin for one more kid. We couldn't stack them up, there wasn't room under the bed, and we couldn't have them sleeping with us, because I was sleeping
over against the wall and had to climb over pregnant Emmeline to get to the bathroom. We had only
one option and that was to build something. It was during the war and we couldn't buy cement, we
couldn't buy lumber for housing. But we could buy something for the pigs. So I checked it out, and sure
enough, the rationing board would allow me to buy a load of lumber from Oregon. So, we built the
house with part of the lumber we bought for the hogs. We dug a basement with a slip scraper, shovel
and pick. We did most of the work, we scrounged for other things we needed, at a total cost of $750. It
was completed about six weeks after Craig arrived. He didn't require money, clothes, or much space.
Our joy was full, we were able to manage our affairs. We were able to stay out of debt, we had a new
house and we did what we had to do with what we had and were happy.
The Lord had blessed us. Now
we had a place for Craig. From the time Craig was born, until he passed on, more changes took place in
our society than had changed in the previous 5000 years. So Craig got in on some of the old lifestyles
that, at present, made part of his life look primitive. There were no cell phones, television was just being
talked about, we still used the telegrams, and the crank telephones and the outside toilets. Rubber tired
tractors were well on their way to becoming common, we still used hay hooks and pitchforks. And the
list goes on and on. What I want to point out is, Craig could literally look back on his life and say, I lived
part of my life in the good old days."
Excerpts from Emmeline Curtis journal-May 1946. "Cars are passing here constantly- I don't pay much
attention to them. While sitting at the table one morning, Craig said "There's the paper!" I looked out
and there passed the carrier's car. Then while washing his face one evening, he couldn't see outside but
suddenly said, "There's the paper!" And it was! Pretty good for a 2 1/2 year old child to recognize the
sound of a car."
-January 3, 1947.
3 year old Alton Craig came down with the measles. "Craig was as sick as I ever want to
see! His temperature was 103.9 and for 2 days and nights he neither slept nor ate. His lips are still
cracked and burned. Saturday morning, he was as red as a beet as tho it had been burned and blistered.
Measles are a terrible ordeal for a little child!"
- February 1948 was when 4 year old Alton Craig was learning to ride a horse. "David Roberts was trying
to teach him and put him on the animal all alone. In his enthusiasm, he kicked his legs against the horse
to "go" and away the horse went with Craig screaming! He eventually fell off onto the gravel road and
received gravel burns on his forehead, nose and chin and cut his mouth on the inside. Poor kid, gets all
the hurts! Recently, he fell off the barn onto a piece of tin and cut himself quite badly. It was an inch
long gash and 1/2 inch wide. He was a brick about taking three stitches with gritted teeth and watched
every move.”
His sister, Carol Curtis Hatch recalls, "When I was very young, I would follow Sam and Craig around when
they would play. They were always telling me to go away; I would be a bother to them. Sam and Craig
would go outside and play cowboys and Indians. I can still remember them with their guns in their
holsters. Kelly was one of their playmates, the big threesome. Craig would be nice to me at times. I liked
that he would have a little compassion for my feelings."
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As a child, Alton Craig's family lived close to Uncle Mel Curtis, and as young cousins do, Alton Craig, Kelly
and Sam loved to play together. Kelly Curtis reflects: "I treasure the home movies of Sam and Craig and
I playing and having the time of our lives together. One in particular is of the three of us on one horse
riding through the fields next to their home. It was not unusual to find us roaming the fields and the
huge citrus groves together that surrounded our homes. A great pass time was finding bird nests in the
citrus trees and carefully climbing up to see the different colored bird eggs or the different growth
stages of the baby birds. Alton Craig was always the one to see that we were careful not to touch them
and to protect their privacy. I remember the huge cottonwood trees along the ditch banks and how we
found adventure in them and seeing how high we could climb before our fright took over. There were
the wood-pecker holes and the owl holes in the trunks of the trees where the discovery of their eggs
and babies always thrilled us. We had to be careful of the yellow-jacket nests or bee-hives as we learned
early on not to disturb them lest we would again experience those unforgettable stings.
Hardly a summer day would go by that we were not found playing or wading in one of the hay fields or
irrigation ditches. On those hot summer days we could always count on the water to be cool and
refreshing.
- February 1948 was when 4 year old Alton Craig was learning to ride a horse. "David Roberts was trying
to teach him and put him on the animal all alone. In his enthusiasm, he kicked his legs against the horse
to "go" and away the horse went with Craig screaming! He eventually fell off onto the gravel road and
received gravel burns on his forehead, nose and chin and cut his mouth on the inside. Poor kid, gets all
the hurts! Recently, he fell off the barn onto a piece of tin and cut himself quite badly. It was an inch
long gash and 1/2 inch wide. He was a brick about taking three stitches with gritted teeth and watched
every move.”
His sister, Carol Curtis Hatch recalls, "When I was very young, I would follow Sam and Craig around when
they would play. They were always telling me to go away; I would be a bother to them. Sam and Craig
would go outside and play cowboys and Indians. I can still remember them with their guns in their
holsters. Kelly was one of their playmates, the big threesome. Craig would be nice to me at times. I liked
that he would have a little compassion for my feelings."
As a child, Alton Craig's family lived close to Uncle Mel Curtis, and as young cousins do, Alton Craig, Kelly
and Sam loved to play together. Kelly Curtis reflects: "I treasure the home movies of Sam and Craig and
I playing and having the time of our lives together. One in particular is of the three of us on one horse
riding through the fields next to their home. It was not unusual to find us roaming the fields and the
huge citrus groves together that surrounded our homes. A great pass time was finding bird nests in the
citrus trees and carefully climbing up to see the different colored bird eggs or the different growth
stages of the baby birds. Alton Craig was always the one to see that we were careful not to touch them
and to protect their privacy. I remember the huge cottonwood trees along the ditch banks and how we
found adventure in them and seeing how high we could climb before our fright took over. There were
the wood-pecker holes and the owl holes in the trunks of the trees where the discovery of their eggs
and babies always thrilled us. We had to be careful of the yellow-jacket nests or bee-hives as we learned
early on not to disturb them lest we would again experience those unforgettable stings.
Hardly a summer day would go by that we were not found playing or wading in one of the hay fields or
irrigation ditches. On those hot summer days we could always count on the water to be cool and
refreshing.
Growing up:
Life was full of fun and big smiles. His father, Fred remembers: "We were living on the ranch, on the
corner of Val Vista & Transmission Rd., We had just returned from Sunday School. Sam and Craig were at
that time heavily involved in six shooters & Indians and the day before we had bought them each
cowboy boots, which they wore to Sunday School. It had rained while we were away. Well the minute
they saw the puddles of water, they scampered out of the car and headed right for the water puddles,
wading thru the water puddles in their Sunday best meant nothing, they waded with glee, they were
doing just like Daddy. Well Emmy and I almost lost our religion. (Note, I wore rubber boots whenever I
worked with the hogs. And coming back to the house, I always took every opportunity to cool off hot
boots and wash off stink, by wading thru any water that might be available. So the miss-imperceptions
of the ever observant tagging boys, was, all boots were made for wading in water.) About this same
time, I was irrigating the alfalfa near the house & made frequent trips to the field to check the water. On
that day Kelly, Sam's and Craig's cousin, who lived only 1/4 mile away, was visiting & the three boys
were my charge. They were about 5 or 6. Craig was just a little shorter than the others, 16 months
younger, but he was fast catching up with them. Sam and Kelly would always remain the leaders while
Craig would be the supporting member of the threesome. This scenario prevailed for the next several
years: Craig was the follower, not the decision maker, and in my opinion, was a key element in shaping
Craig's future. He was the supporter, the shadow, the backup for others. Consequently, Craig began to
think of how he could get things done, by himself, no support from others, he began to think and do on
his own. He gradually began to think and do by himself, he felt comfortable doing & thinking on his own.
It isn't a bad trait; it's just not very handy.”
When Alton Craig was 12, his family moved to Blythe, CA where there were lots of adventures with
horses, walking on stilts, guns and rabbits in the arrow weeds. Not to mention fishing, swimming,
boating and exploring in the Colorado River. There was hard work on the farm, but there was fun too
and most of all there was love. Alton Craig's brother, Mark recalls; "Craig won a nice bicycle at Imperial
Hardware Co. It was a nice red 3 speed and had a carrier on the back. He got mad at me for lowering the
seat and riding it. It was the bike I learned to ride even thou it was too big for me."
Alton Craig was a typical little boy when starting school. Emmeline has written a few stories about his
first year.
-September 7, 1948 was 5 year old Alton Craig's first day of school Miss L. Dean was his teacher.
Emmeline writes: "He rode the bus with Sam and was as proud and big as you can please! Later, I came
to his school room and saw he was panicked and the flood broke and he cried and cried and said he
wanted to go home. But, I made him stay at school and by the end of the day was OK."
-October 26, 1948. "Craig isn't doing so well in school he got a "U" in use of crayons, use of scissors and
in work and play harmoniously and needs his tonsils out immediately."
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HIGH SCHOOL:
As a senior in high school, one of his favorite activities was to go shooting and skiing on the Colorado
River at Cibola with his buddies, Alvin Stover and Nick. He graduated in the Class of 1961 Palo Verde
High School, Blythe, CA. Life wasn't all play, he worked hard too. During his high school years and into
his adulthood, he was very involved in the farming operations with his dad.
Alton Craig relates a story about hard work in a letter to his dad, June 17, 1988:
"While in High school in the summertime, I was helping dad cut hay with a sickle mower, before the
days of swathers. I cut 40 acres in one day without breaking down (me or the equipment). Dad said
none of his hired help ever did that before. I felt rather special for sometime after and I think he got
some good mileage out of it also. We felt good about each other and I felt good about helping. I have
used the same idea in helping my own children feel good about themselves and what they are doing. I
draw strength from my dad and mom knowing they have been true and faithful in all things. I love them
both very much."
His father, Fred recalls: "I believe that I spent more time with Craig, than with any other of my children.
He and I built a house together. We did real estate together and we developed the upper and lower
ranches over a period of time. All this time, together, proved to be a very pleasant experience. We
planned out our day and most usually followed our plan. We always knew what each other was doing. I
don't remember a cross word between us. If we had differences of opinion about a certain procedure
we worked it out. He always respected me, and of course I respected him. It was a joy to work with him.
This team spirit had developed between us over the entire span of his life time. When he was younger,
there were times when a good tongue lashing or a swift kick in the posterior would have been in order,
but I could never bring myself around to do either."
Not surprisingly, Alton Craig was a cheerleader his Senior year, was on the yearbook staff assigned to
cover clubs and activities and was a copy editor. He was also involved in the House of Representatives
(student body government) his Junior year in High School. These are more examples of dad's wide range
of abilities, talents and interests. He really had so much going for him, good looks, intelligent, popular,
could fix anything. It seemed he could do it all. His brother Mark relates: "I went to the football games
at Scott Stadium at the High School and watched Craig cheer with the cheerleaders, (George Amerman
was one of his cheerleader friends). It never occurred to me why he wasn't playing football or one of the
sports. He was doing what he wanted to do and that was good enough for him." and his sister Carol
writes: "I remember the year he was a cheerleader. The girls just loved him; he always had a lot of
attention, always smiling. He was a good cheerleader. He was very popular and did not lack for
friendship."
In High School Alton Craig bought, refurbished and drove a Model A car, it was quite the rave at the
time, not just for his friends, but his family too! Dad writes: "I overhauled the engine, painted and drove
the car my senior year in High School".
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His brother, Mark, has a little more to add about the Model A: “Craig bought a Model A Ford out in the
country when he was in High School. I took very keen interest in it too. He paid $100.00 for it from a
man who lived out on South Intake Blvd. down past where the Kindred Harvey’s used to live. It was a
1928 2 door Sedan cloth top model. He took it over to Shepwell’s on the corner of Intake and Riverside
Dr. and had it sand blasted on the underside to take off the rust.
He painted it dark green with black
fenders. It was in perfect shape and he drove the car his senior year in High School." In a letter written to his brother, Mark from VietNam, Alton Craig writes: "Really Mark thanks for your crazy letter. I
enjoyed all the latest news and was particularly pleased to hear your report on the model A. I wonder
about it all the time and I appreciate your taking care of it for me. Brings me a speck of peace of mind.-
Craig" After he came home from VietNam, he needed a car to go back up to college at BYU. Fred asked
Mark if he'd give Craig his savings of $900.00 he had for his mission to go and buy a good car. In
exchange for the money, Mark would take the Model A and that's just what they did.
His sister Carol relates: "Craig had a special project in the back yard during his high school years. Actually
he had several projects. One was his model "A" Ford and the other several were science projects.
He put
together a dog skeleton and a horse skeleton. He was pretty good at connecting all the bones. I stood
back and thought he was a VERY SMART person. The other project he had in the back yard was an old
car that he very methodically fixed up, both inside and out. He finally made it run and he took us for
rides often. I loved the way people would look at us and smile a big smile and have big eyes. I was just
still a shy little girl admiring a big brother. Craig liked the reaction on people's faces too because he was
smiling with a big grin as he drove; I guess you could say happy with having accomplished something."
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| mission companions and brother. Elders Curtis |
LDS Mission to Texas -September 1962-September 1964
Letter from Elder Craig Curtis to his father while on his mission. August 8, 1963
"Dear Dad,
Thanks for the letter you wrote to me. I love to hear from you. You always seem to have something
good to tell me about the family or what you are doing.
I don't think I can ever remember you being in a negative attitude very long. When we had a break down
with the equipment, you always seemed to be calm and cool headed about it all.
Thank you for preparing me when I was small to serve a mission. At times I stop and think "Is this what
dad would do?" I'd like to thank you for all the good examples you have set for us kids especially Sam
and I. It has enabled us to make many good decisions, and you have helped set our goals and values.
Mom was worried about the money she sent for August. I received it and it's in the bank. I will use it as
you have taught me to use money, and that's sparingly. My love for you and mom grows more as time
goes on. Be sweet, I love you all, -Elder Craig"
1964 in the Texas Mission. He loved his mission and had a firm testimony of it during this time in his life.
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He writes home: "I believe I will be arriving in Blythe on the Bonanza (plane) afternoon schedule on the
25th ...We love the work and are thankful for our new callings. I know the church is true and I am
thankful for that knowledge. I pray the Lord to bless each of us that our testimonies will continue to
grow. I love and appreciate you all, Love, Sincerely, Elder Alton C. Craig" Brothers Sam and A. Craig were
missionary companions in the Texas mission for 6 months.
The Actor and Entertainer
After his mission in 1964, Alton Craig resumed his studies at Brigham Young University. He loved
to act and had so much personality; it was only natural that he would choose dramatic arts as his major.
In a letter from Alton Craig to his parents January 30, 1965: "...I am residing in Stover Hall (34th ward). I
think I'll stick to Dramatic Arts as a major until something else which is better comes up."
Even though he was talented and had a passion for dramatic acting and the performing arts, his parents
strongly discouraged him from pursuing this field of study. And because he was so obedient and loved
his parents so much, he followed their counsel. Nevertheless, he never lost interest and throughout his
life expressed the desire of his heart was to act and perform.
JoAnna recalls A. Craig was involved in a reader's theater in Blythe, CA depicting patriotic history for the
bi-centennial. She relates: "Craig was phenomenal and could slip in and out of character so easily-he was
an expert even without much effort or practice and was really very talented.
His sister Carol remembers that Alton Craig also expressed an interest in being a television or radio
announcer or personality and could have done really well if he was encouraged. Alton Craig writes " My
job at BYU. Take all flesh from this dog and reassemble for the animal Husbandry Department. My
wages were $1.10 per hour" ..
Alton Craig served two years in the US ARMY. He was drafted on March 22, 1966 until March
21, 1968.
For his service and bravery, he was awarded the following medals:
*Air Medal
*Bronze Star Medal
*Combat Infantryman Badge
*Army Commendation Medal
*Vietnam service medal with 1 bronze star
*Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
*Army Commendation w/ "V" Device
*National Defense Service Medal
US ARMY TIMELINE
--March 22, 1966 Drafted into US ARMY #US56417248
--March 25, 1966 Fort Bliss, Texas for basic training
--May 28, 1966 graduated from boot camp
--June 4, 1966 transfer to Ft. Polk, Louisiana
--August 13, 1966 R&R to Blythe, CA last visit home before shipped over seas. Life would never be the
same for him.
--September 12, 1966 shipped to VietNam thru San Fransisco
--October 9, 1966 assigned to 1st battalion 26th infantry Company B as a light-weapons infantrymen.
Phuoc Vinh 45 miles N. of VietNam
--November 21, 1966 received Army commendation medal w/ "V" device for heroism in repelling a Viet
Cong ambush operation Attelburo
--January 1967 Jungle patrol -surrounding villages. Operation Cedar Falls completely seal village Ben Suc
--February 7, 1967 Transferred off the line to Headquarters company as a typist in the Battalion S-1
dept. *This was a very important transfer for dad. No more hand to hand combat.
--March 1967 R&R to Bangkok went thru Saigon. SP4 rank
--April 1967 in Phou Loi forward area & 2nd trip to Saigon
--July 1967 R&R to Tokyo, Japan
--September 15, 1967 transfers back to USA & 30 day leave. During leave, he meets and starts dating
JoAnna K. Williams. They were introduced through his brother, Sam and his wife, Carleen Hancock.
--October 1967 Rank of Sergeant and stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas
--March 21, 1968 Honorably discharged from the US ARMY
December 14, 1966 Alton Craig's letter from VietNam:
"An interesting thing happened when I received your package. I took the package and returned to my
foxhole bunker. As I lifted the lid, we were fired upon by 5 snipers. I lunged forward with cake in hand
grabbing my rifle at the same time. As it turned out I was laying face down in the cake ducking bullets.
This sort of thing happens often so I took advantage of the situation and took a few bites, maintaining a
close watch to the front. Commander called an air strike and within 10 minutes had the V.C. engaged in
a thunderous battle. I sat near my foxhole, legs crossed, rifle across my lap and munched on cake while
watching the air strike only 200 meters away. This was one of many air strikes I have witnessed, but I get
a charge out of them all. Just like in the movies.
VietNam is a beautiful country. The jungle is full of all kinds of exotic plants, the birds are colorful & the
monkeys are crazy. One night while on an ambush we heard all kinds of strange noises the whole night.
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No one got any sleep. The next morning it was discovered that the commotion was caused by a couple
of happy monkeys." Craig
The VietNam war shaped him in profound ways.
Imagine a young man fresh from serving a
mission, forced into the hostile environment of war; he managed his way through and did so with great
honor. He was the only survivor to return home from his company. He came home from VietNam with
experiences that would have lasting effects on his body and mind and in the end, exposure to agent
orange and the resulting lung and adrenal cancers would ultimately claim his life. He will be
remembered for his bravery, intelligence, honor and above all, his selfless sacrifice for his country.
His
father adds: "His service for his fellow man was done quietly, assuming no credit and demanding no
honor. His contribution to his country and society cost him his life and our association with him."
Alton Craig sent many letters home to his family during his tour of duty -it's easy to see how
much he loved his family. He thought about, encouraged and was thankful to them- sent gifts and
always seemed to remember birthdays and special occasions.
In return, he loved receiving letters and
packages filled with homemade treats. Of course he always shared these precious morsels with his
fellow servicemen. His brother Mark relates: "He sent me a parachute from the jungle. We relished
every letter he wrote home to us from VietNam."
Wedding and Family Life:
During a leave from the Army, Alton Craig and JoAnna were introduced by dad's older brother
and his wife, Sam & Carlene Curtis. They dated and corresponded until he was discharged from the
service. They didn't waste any time and were married within that same year- August 20, 1968 in the
Mesa Temple. Before the wedding, he writes home; July 21, 1968: "Dear Mom and Dad, ...Mark, will
you stand in the line at my wedding reception? We'll get you a tux from LeSuerur's, then you can
officially "greet" all JoAnna's cute sisters. Sam is the best man. Carol, Claudia and Gayle will stand in the
line. I would like Kelly to stand in the line too, but I haven't written to him yet. We ordered new open
house invitations indicating that the open house would be at the Blythe ward. Part of JoAnna's family
will be arriving in Mesa around the 12th or 13th of August, I will be coming with them. JoAnna and I will
obtain a medical exam and a license then."
Newspaper clipping announcing their wedding: "Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are at home in Provo, Utah, where
she is teaching second grade in the Jordan School District and he is attending BYU majoring in drama."
Taken from Alton Craig's writings. Summer 1991
"JoAnna agreed to a blind date set up by a previous roommate at BYU. Turns out that the previous
roommate was a sister-in-law, and Craig was visiting his brother at Provo after serving in VietNam, and
two years before that a mission in Texas. The stage is set. A lonely soldier, twenty five years old, a pretty
girl graduated from BYU and two years into teaching at Sandy, Utah. After the first date Craig asked
JoAnna the faithful question, if he could see her again. She gave her blessing to the faithful question and
said yes. They dated off and on for two weeks. Craig had to go to Texas to finish the remaining six
months of a two year draft in the Army. They wrote letters and talked by phone and the romance
blossomed." JoAnna adds her thoughts about this time, "We were married in the Mesa, AZ Temple. It
was a beautiful, warm, overcast day when Craig's very own family unit began. It was a touching wedding
ceremony; tears rolled down my face the entire ceremony. We immediately came up to Provo, UT (no
money or time for a honeymoon) and started "keeping house" in a basement apartment Craig had
secured for us. We were happy and soon wanted to have children. This has always been a dominant
desire of Craig's. Craig has an ability to beautifully handle domestic problems, and I found this out quick.
He helped his new bride adjust to married life. His loving disposition has been a thread woven
throughout our home and children's lives."
Dad continues, "At the wedding reception JoAnna sang, "Through All Eternity", beautifully. By the time
the twins were born we were living in Blythe, CA with five girls under the age of five. What a joy! The
doctor was not expecting JoAnna to have twins. The delivery was finally by c section. When the doctor
took away the first baby, the nurse said, "Doctor, there is one more." JoAnna spent a lot of church time
in the foyer with adventurous babies, all just as cute as they could be. I was busy with many church
positions, Elders quorum instructor, 70's pres. and in the bishopric. JoAnna led the choir, played the
piano in church organizations and has a beautiful singing voice. In fact, the local Catholic Church would
often pay JoAnna to sing, "Ave Maria" at weddings and funerals. I developed 320 acres of Jojoba at
Desert Center, CA for a company in Bakersfield. We moved back to Mesa, AZ where JoAnna grew up and
where I grew up until 12 years old. I continued in the Jojoba occupation until finding a job in Tucson. The
Garrett Company moved us and we lived in Tucson for 3 years. Tucson and the 6th ward had the
friendliest people and we enjoyed some good times with so many of them, hiking the canyon, girls camp
and Mt Lemon, sports, testimony meetings, missionary farewells and so many others. The Garrett
Company moved us back to Mesa. I started working with another division of Garrett as a Production
Systems Engineer. I am currently working in real estate, buying homes for investors at foreclosure."
JoAnna recalls: "Growing up, the children loved his story telling ability; he certainly has a gift for making
the stories up as he goes along, including the related drama. It has been difficult for both Craig and
myself to raise, tend, teach and referee the children, not to mention the 1,000 clean ups per day.
However, we love each one with all our hearts and we rejoice in their singing "Glory to God" in full
chorus."
Alton Craig and JoAnna together created a tribe....they just kept coming:
RaeChelle,
Jocelyn,
Kristin,
Jaynann,
Jamiel,
Sunni,
Julianna,
Steven. And so it is no surprise we can report that by 2011 Alton Craig has 19 grandchildren.
Growing up, his children fondly remember him helping us make our school lunches with his fresh
homemade bread. We also remember dad baking scones and his yummy bread sprinkled with powdered
sugar and drizzled in honey. For a while there, he was even making his own homemade soap. He
photographed us regularly in our Sunday dresses and obliging us as we made him the center of our
childish play. When we sang as a family, Dad loved it so much; it was as though he transcended space
and time.
In 1991 Dad wrote some of his memories: "when the kids were really young, we lived in Blythe and one
of our favorite things to do was go down to the swimming hole along the Colorado River. The five older
girls would pile up in the old blue bomb (pick up truck) and I would let them ride in the back where they
could stand up and feel the wind on their faces. They would sing and laugh all the way to our favorite
swimming place. The water was cool in the hot summer months. When we arrived, they would usually
find the best sand bar to play on. The sand was constantly changing from the movement of the water so
they had fun exploring the new, but old swimming hole. They would always try and find the most shells
especially the shells that were not open and had something living inside them. After a couple of hours or
until they were tired from playing so hard, I'd take them all home again."
It wasn't always easy, but together, dad and mom made sure we had our early morning scripture study,
family prayer and on Monday nights they would gather us again for Family Home Evening.
We laughed, played, cried and best of all, we sang together. Life in the Curtis family wasn't always easy and
sometimes it was messy. But we all gave it our best, including dad and we loved each other the best we
could and still do.
Family life was a dominate part of dad's life for many many years. 2/4/1990 Alton Craig's letter
to his parents while on their mission: “RaeChelle is working full time for Lamson college as a financial aid
officer. Jocelyn had a date at BYU, so things aren't so bad after all. Kristin is going on her first date soon
and she is making very good grades. Jaynann and Jamiel are always bugging me about driving-they have
lots of friends and are starting baseball practice now. Sunni and Julie love to dance-both are on the
honor's roll. Also have lots of friends. Steven is all boy-he likes the dirt and makes the bang sounds and
car sounds. I sure do love those kids. I love JoAnna and I love you. Craig”
JoAnna remembers fondly, "When we were first married, Alton Craig displayed a creative sense of
humor. I remember he kept me laughing on long trips from Utah to Arizona with funny stories. He also
has a gift at resolving personal conflicts by thinking out of the box. When we would have a problem he
generated win-win solutions for both of us. Another fond memory is when Jaynann and Jamiel were 9
months old with the chicken pox he bundled them up in the car seat and drove them around to sooth
them. He said, "This is their first experience with pain and I want it to be a good one". A. Craig was
always very supportive of his family and loved them very much."
Alton Craig's sister, Carol, recalls: "The children came along and our girls too and they were happy
playing with each other. Craig’s girls could sing. They could make any gathering of family or church
function stand in amazement and admiration. These were the times he was very proud of his girls and
often told us so.
He loved them a lot. JoAnna, his wife was the apple of his eye. She had many talents
and he loved her very much. I could tell by the way he would look and talk about her. I know that he
really loved his family. Our brother had very deep feelings of kindness and concern for our father and
was there to help when asked. He checked on grandpa often. He made a great contribution in our
family and it is my wish that he will have happiness and I am glad he was in our family. I am glad he had
the opportunity to have a lovely wife and all of his girls and one last pride and joy a boy. He wanted one
for a long time and he was blessed with one last joy."
Inventions and Achievements
Inventor, Entrepreneur, Dreamer that's our dad. Dad was always inventing things and "thinking
outside the box” and always had plans for a new creation. His brother Mark relates: "He loved to be
creative with his imagination as well as with his hands. In fact, he thought of an imaginative idea and
then set about to try and make it a reality. He succeeded in many of these ventures." Some of these
ventures include: “Plan Your Week Planner”,
(before they were sold in stores) “Water Walkers”, “Hulling
Machine”, a water well system, vacuum hair cutter (before there was one on TV). He built homemade
stilts for us children and he and his father, Samuel Fred Curtis partnered up to build the beautifully
designed home he lived in the last 15 years of his life.
He describes these ideas in a letter he wrote to his parents when he was in the Army July 1966: "I have
been reading a book called "Applied Imagination" by Alex F. Osborn. It's used as a regular text at the
University of Buffalo. It talks all about ideas and how to correctly think them up and apply them. It has
been particularly interesting to me because in my secluded moments I am always entertaining one
creative thought or another. This book has helped to organize my wild ideas and thoughts more and
clarify them. I took notes on it , so I might refer to them later."
From The Oklahoma Journal, February 20, 1972: The brainchild of Craig Curtis and backed by Dr.
Charles H. Farr, Water Skeeters are in amazingly simple answer to a feat that has astounded man for
almost 2,000 years. They are plastic foam floats which attach to each foot. With minor adaptations, the
foot floats easily can be converted into a floating fishing raft. During a demonstration, Craig Curtis,
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inventor of Water Skeeters, walks back to shore after taking a stroll on lake Thunderbird. Curtis, 28, said
the idea came to him in a "dream" while sick in bed during his college days two years ago. "I just saw this
man walking on the water and told myself, 'I'm going to find a way to do that,'" Curtis explained." He
was a dreamer...literally.
In the 1980's, dad invented the "Lewis-Curtis Hulling Machine".
It was his most successful
invention. His idea was to take off the outer shell of the nuts on-site or in the field by taking off the
outer shell and was an innovative, new concept in the production process. It featured two tone
electrostatic powder coating and the finish was acid, impact, salt and humidity resistant. Had a 5 hp, 220
volt single phase motor and conveyor belts with de-twigger and de-stoner options. It also had an
enclosed blower attachment for indoor processing.
In the late 1990's, dad started his own window washing business: "Sparkle Window Washing".
For a while, dad always had his ladders and his window washing kit in the back of his truck where ever
he went-always and ever ready for business. Not surprisingly, dad had adapted and refined his tools and
the system of washing the windows; making his business operation very efficient. Dad was always
thinking and working out ways to make life easier and well-just better. It seemed he had every kind and
size of squeegee ever made in his tool collection.
This model was made by Orek, but it is very similar to dad's original design. Dad called his the
"VacUcut". We remember seeing dad's drawings and plans and I remember hearing him say not to tell
anyone so no one would take his idea. It seems that is just what happened. Because as RaeChelle recalls:
"dad saw an ad on television for a similar idea and he jumped up and said " hey, they stole my idea!"
The machine pictured is the haircutting device dad used to cut his hair with regularly.
Dad's idea of a Water Well System as told by his daughter, Kristin Curtis: "About a year ago
(2010) dad told me of his idea to build a water well that pulls moisture out of the air. He planned to use
the special copper sheets for funneling. He ran into design issues, such as the motor would have to be
massive to run it, so he gave up building it. I never saw a drawing. He described it as being high up in the
atmosphere and running down to the ground with a funnel shape at the top to collect water." General Contractor & Realtor
Hard working, intelligent, practical - that's dad.
In 1972, dad had his first adventure and experience with real estate and general contracting.
He moved
a house onto a vacant lot and renovated it. Dad writes: "We bought this home for $500.00 moved it to
520 E. Avenue B., Blythe, CA, then lived in it for three years. I sold it for $20,500."
Later in life, he earned and received his licenses both in General Contracting (1995) and Real Estate
(2007).
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| Fred and Craig working on the house |
December 1995 Alton Craig and his father, Samuel Fred Curtis, partnered up to build a beautiful
home which was designed with energy efficient systems, innovative engineered R control panels and
many other upgraded features. He finished and moved into his new home in the Spring of 1996 and
lived there the last 15 years of his life. As it turned out, this home is the longest he lived in any one
place.
 |
| 604 S Silver, Apache Junction, AZ |
It's no wonder he loved his cozy home so much. When he became ill, he wanted to stay and pass
away there. However, it was only the last week of his life that he agreed to go to a care facility, but it
wasn't without a little grumbling.
In his back yard, this tree stump was one of dad's favorite spots to sit and watch the birds and animals.
He always had his bird feeders filled so he could watch and enjoy their daily activities.
CRAIG’S LIFE TIMELINE:
-Born August 26, 1943- a Thursday. In Phoenix, AZ. The Curtis family lived in their beloved “Blue
House”, in Mesa,AZ off NW corner of ValVista & Broadway on a hog farm.
-Jan 3, 1947 Alton Craig contracted the measles
-Feb 1948 learned to ride a horse
-Sept 1948 1st day of school. Started out with many tears, but turned out ok at the end of the
day.
-March 25, 1949 had his tonsils out
-1949 moved to N. Parcell house in Mesa
-July 1951 moved into block house on the Maricopa farm -352 acres 40 miles southwest of
Mesa.
-1955 Fred traded the Maricopa farm for 2 smaller farms in Blythe, CA (Curtis family lived in
Blythe 34 years) 431 So. 7th St., Blythe, CA
-1955 Dad contracted hepatitis and was hospitalized for a short time.
-1961 Graduated from Palo Verde High School, Blythe, CA (very involved in farming operations,
refurbished Model A car, yearbook staff, cheerleader)
-1961-1962 BYU Freshman, Helaman Halls B-2107, Provo, UT INVENTION: Weekly Planner cards
-September 1962-September 1964 served an LDS Mission to Texas.
January 1963- June 1963
companions with his older brother, Sam.
-1964-1966 BYU, Heritage Halls. Dramatic Arts Major
-March 22, 1966- March 21, 1968 US ARMY. Ft. Bliss, Texas. Ft. Polk, Louisianan. VietNam. Ft.
Hood, Texas.
-August 20, 1968 married to JoAnna K. Williams In Mesa, AZ Temple. No honeymoon, lived at
167 E. 200 North, Provo, UT. Attending BYU dramatic arts major.
-August 3, 1969 child born Salt Lake City, UT
-Sept 1970 moved to 33 East 300 North, Provo, UT.
-June 1971 moved to 1000 Cornwell Dr. #11 & later #148, Yukon, Oklahoma to be Regional sales
representative for Spudnut donuts
-July 1971 INVENTION: “Water Walkers” or “Water Skeeters”
-September 19, 1971 child born Oklahoma City, OK
-March 1972 moved to 4022 N. Meridian #7, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
-1972-1975 Moved to 520 E. Avenue B Blythe, CA. Dad moved this house onto a vacant lot and
renovated it.
-November 11, 1972 child born, Mesa, AZ
-March 13, 1974 two children born Mesa, AZ
-1975-1978 moved to E. Barnard Ave, Blythe, CA
-1978-1980 moved to old Sourdough Rd. Ehrenberg, AZ
-May 3, 1979 child born Mesa, AZ
-May 20, 1980 child born Mesa, AZ
-1980-1982 lived at 350 N. Acacia, Blythe CA INVENTION: Hulling Machine
-1982-1984 lived at 1550 N. Stapley #132, Mesa, AZ Jojoba occupation
INVENTION: Vacuum hair
cutting machine
-June 22, 1984 child born, Mesa, AZ . Finally the child dad always wanted.
-1984-1985 moved to 5636 N. Via Latigo, Tucson, AZ began working for Garrett Air research
-1985-1987 moved to 6342 N. Barcelona, #120, Tucson, AZ
-Summer 1987 transferred to Garret Air Research Phx division and new position as production
systems engineer
-Fall 1987-July 1989 moved to 444 E. Tremaine, Gilbert, AZ – big brick house on a corner lot
with a big yard and we even had a horse. We loved that house!
-July 1989-1993 moved to 1208 W. Sandhills Court, Gilbert, AZ, Alton Craig was involved in real
estate buying homes for investors at foreclosure and hulling machine business.
-1992-1993 Jocelyn, RaeChelle, Jaynann and Jamiel were all married within 1 year of each other.
Kristin, Sunni, Julianna and Steven remained at home.
-1994 moved alone to 331 N. 3500 E, Lewisville, IDAHO and in 1995 moved back to Mesa.
-1995 ACHIEVMENT: Four Pillars Development and Construction business license also his
General Contractor license, ENTREPENUER: started his window washing business “Sparkle Window
Washing”
-1995-1996 ACHIEVMENT: built his home and lived there until the end of his life. This was the
longest place he ever lived: 604 S. Silver, Apache Junction, AZ.
- 2003 Appendix taken out
-2007 AZ real estate license. Realtor
-September 2010 saw his primary care physician (PCP) for a pain on the left side of his rib cage.
The PCP said he bumped his side and the pain would go away in a week. The pain didn't go away-it got
worse.
-November 2010 to ER and admitted to VA hospital for extreme pain in his side and chest area
and with a CT scan showing a dark area and was admitted to hospital for biopsy. Biopsy confirmed
adrenal and lung cancer as a result of exposure to agent orange in VietNam. He was already stage 4.
Additionally, due to his exposure to wartime conditions, he also suffered from hearing loss, post
traumatic stress disorder, night terrors and jungle rot.
We all suspected dad was haunted by what
happened during his service in the Army and it caused him much pain emotionally and physically. His
cousin Kelly Curtis writes: “He was, in fact put in a position on the lines, to do just what we all had hoped
wouldn't happen, hand-to-hand battle experiencing things he never would talk about the rest of his life.
Besides the fact that it was more than he could bare to recall this experience, it was of great importance
to him to protect the hearts and minds of his loved ones by not ever telling of what he experienced
Whatever he did was so contrary to his nature that it changed his path in, and of, life forever. Later, one
could see it in his eyes, and in his countenance, he was a changed human being. So much so, that it
would cause him to outwardly be someone he really was not, and for years distance himself from many
of his hearts convictions and loved ones. It broke my heart and the hearts of those who had always
been close to him and knew and loved another Alton Craig Curtis of previous years.”
-January 25, 2011 - a Tuesday at 4:00am He passed away peacefully in a hospice facility in
Tempe, AZ. He was only 67 years old. One of dad’s last writings was to tell everyone the theme for his
life and passing was “a Celebration of Success”.
- January 29, 2011. It was a beautiful clear day, not a cloud in the brilliant blue sky. His family
scattered his ashes at the base of the Superstition Mountains by plane. Dad wanted us to remember him
each time we drove past the mountains enjoying the view, especially in the springtime when the
wildflowers are in bloom. After all, he will have the biggest headstone for miles around.
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| A. Craig Curtis holding grandson Dallin Thomas, 2001. Gilbert, AZ |
It gives insight into what he wanted, how he felt and what he believed. September 21, 2007:
"Today I begin a new life, I will greet this day with love in my heart, I will persist until I succeed, I am
nature's greatest miracle, I will live this day as if it's my last, Today I will be master of my emotions, I will
laugh at the world, Today I will multiply my value a hundred fold, I will act now, Divine Guidance."
According to his wishes, his family scattered his ashes at the base of the majestic and awe
inspiring Superstition Mountains by plane on Saturday, January 29, 2011. He chose the perfect place and
way for the actor in him to play out his last and final dramatic scenes. The backdrop to this final act was
special and familiar to us as our family would often hike these mountains together, becoming our
unofficial family Mountain. So when he announced this would be the place, we all knew that was right
and couldn't have been more perfect for dad. As we gathered together, mom said a few words that
helped describe the scene that dad is now a part of forever: "The pureness of the elements,
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peacefulness and beauty of the desert, the blueness and expanse of the sky, the ancient saguaros guard
the gullies and washes, the feathered bird thrills out notes of expressive music and all nature co-mingles
in harmony to celebrate the song of life."
We know Alton Craig is resting high on our family mountain and that his legacy lives on. Pieces
of him are prominent physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually in each of his children and will
continue in the generations to come. We celebrate his life of success as we look at ourselves in the
mirror, love our families, create and reach for the stars every day.
We can look to our family Mountain and let our hearts sing his song and know without a doubt
he was a good and valiant man.
Say not in grief 'he is no more', but live in thankfulness that he was and is with us always.
 |
| Steven C Curtis released dad's ashes by plane. Not a cloud in the sky. The white cloud you see are his ashes. The black dot to the left is the plane |
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| MEMORIAL stone and TREE DEDICATED TO ALTON CRAIG CURTIS Lost Dutchman State Park, AZ January 28, 2012 |
