James “Jim” Leonard Curtis was born on August 29, 1947 in Berryville, Arkansas to Bruce and Dorothy Curtis. He moved to Wichita as a child and he lived in the Air Capital for the rest of his life except during his military service. He passed away on October 20, 2023 at St. Francis Hospital, surrounded by his family and many of the friends whose lives he touched during his 76 years. He was a devoted follower of Jesus and a longtime member of Countryside Christian Church. 

Jim married Connie Marie Jantz on September 1, 1968. They had two children, Jason (1973) and Mandy (1977). Connie died on September 3, 1986 after a valiant fight with cancer. Jim married Sheila Davis, Connie’s close friend and fellow musician, on February 6, 1987. The family was now composed of four kids with the addition of Kendra and Derek, all living in a small house on Prairie Park Road in Wichita. Sheila died on August 4, 2007 after another valiant fight against cancer. Despite the pain of losing two wives to cancer, Jim never wavered in his faith in God or in his loyalty to his family and friends. He soldiered on, demonstrating courage and tenacity in situations that would have caused a lesser man to stumble.

Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1972, during which time he was stationed in Monterey, CA and Colorado Springs, CO. His MOS in the army was cook, which in retrospect seems ironic given his love of carryout (particularly Taco Shop) and diners and his antipathy towards cooking. His military cooking skills did, however, transfer directly to his service to the many men’s prayer breakfasts and church retreats at which he cooked.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Jim spent many frigid early mornings in Kansas fields hunting pheasant, quail, turkey, or deer with his father, brother, sons and friends. Fishing was his true outdoor passion, which he shared with numerous fishing buddies over the years. Most recently, he could be found almost every weekday morning (if the weather was good, not too hot and not too cold) on the Arkansas River fishing for catfish beneath the dam. He taught his grandchildren to fish, along with numerous “surrogate” grandchildren who may not have had access to fishing otherwise. He loved watching sports, especially Jayhawk basketball and Chiefs football. One of his favorite sports memories was watching the Broncos season opener in person at Mile High (level 1 row 7 seats on the 40 yard line, like a baller) when Peyton Manning broke the single game touchdown record. 

Jim spent the majority of his working life as a route salesperson for Frito Lay, a career that perfectly suited his outgoing and friendly personality, despite not loving potato chips. He never knew a stranger, much to the chagrin of his teenagers, who just wanted to run an errand that did not result in a 30 minute conversation with the friends he had everywhere. Heck, if there wasn’t a friend where we went, he would make a new one. His approachable, affable nature allowed him to connect with people everywhere. When his children’s lives took them across the country and around the world, he created his own adopted family of church friends and his daily breakfast club (Fat Ernie’s Diner may be forced to shut the doors without dad’s patronage). 

His children would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the local Curtis clan, the Harris family, and his Countryside Church family for the love, companionship, and care shown to him over the years in our absence and especially during recent weeks in which he endured hospital stays and medical issues.

Jim will be remembered for his love and his faith, the joy and pride he found in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his fierce independence and perseverance, his positive attitude, and his unwavering commitment to his loved ones when the odds seemed stacked against him. 

Jim is preceded in death by his first wife, Connie; his second wife, Sheila; his brother, Ronnie; his mother, Dorothy, and father, Bruce; and many loyal companions of the K9 furry variety (Rowdy, Brandy, BJ, Riley, Barney). He is survived by his children, Jason (Julianne) Curtis, CO; Mandy (Danny) Corwin, KS; Derek (Amie) Davis, OH; Kendra (Brian) Wells, FL; brother, Jack (Debbie) Curtis, KS; aunt, Jenita Harris, KS; 8 grandchildren: Elise and Charlie (Mandy); Carter and Parker (Derek); Emily (Jason); Logan, Brennan and Kenna (Kendra); and 3 great-grandchildren, Charlee, Ezra and Rowan (Emily); and 3 nephews, and his dog, Snoozy.

Funeral Service to be held November 10, 2023 at 10am at Countryside Christian Church, 1919 S. Rock Road, Wichita, Kansas. 
Luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Wounded Warrior Project, http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org