"I love you all.
"To all of you who I love so dearly and owe so much, I say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a wonderful ride because...
"That's as Good as It Gets!" — Kent Curtis
Jay Kent Curtis was born Monday, June 6, 1932 in the family home at 938 South 800 East in the East Central neighborhood of Salt Lake City to Ruel and Mary Zola Harward Curtis. "He was a real husky baby, weighed ten and a half pounds. He was always a roudy [sic] child and always had an answer for everything you ever said but he was always a very good little boy," Ruel later wrote.
"[Kent] was so good sleeping nearly all the time. The only problem was that DeVon was only 17 months old and he didn't want me to hold Kent at all. He would cry and push on him so real quick Kent had to learn how to share. As they grew DeVon grew slow and Kent grew so fast that soon people would ask if they were twins. I remember we had bought them a red pull over sweater with a black design in it. I would make them little pants out of men's suit pants and they always looked so cute," Zola wrote in 1976. "One night Dad had them down town [sic] and he was so proud of our kids. He had a hold of each one's hand when an old man, real well dressed [sic], walked right up in front of them and squated [sic] down in front of them. He talked to them and then gave each of them a quarter. Then he stood up and said to Dad, 'I am a wealthy man but I would give everything I own to have twin boy's [sic] like that.'"
In 1937, the family moved to 2019 South 800 East in nearby Sugar House, where Kent grew up. He attended Forest Park Elementary School, Irving Junior High School, and South High School (Class of 1951), all of which have now closed. He also attended Weber State College and the University of Utah, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education (Class of 1957) and Master of Science degree in Educational Administration (Class of 1967).
Kent valiantly served our country in the United States Army. He reported to the induction center at Fort Douglas on Tuesday, October 28, 1952, underwent basic training at Fort Ord, California, and spent sixteen months in Korea before returning to Salt Lake City in August 1954.
Kent was sealed for time and all eternity to his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Jean Luker, on Wednesday, May 28, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1955 to 1965, they made their home in Magna, residing at 3380 South Fairlane Street (7655 West). In 1965, they moved to 1441 West Fernwood Drive (4395 South) in Taylorsville.
He was a longtime educator in the Granite School District. His positions included science teacher and counselor at Central Junior High School (now Granite Park Junior High School), Valley Junior High School, and Granite High School from 1958-1970; vice principal at Kearns High School from 1970-1984; and principal at Stansbury Elementary School from 1984-1987. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa International. "His love for children and their education will never retire," said a school spokesman at the time of his retirement. Kent was a recipient of the "Principal of the Year" award. From 1987 until 1990, he served as director of the Park City Teen Center.
A kind and benevolent human being, Uncle Kent applied those personality traits to his job as an educator. "I try to help students realize their responsibilities. You can't scare these kids, and they don't respect you if you try. Mainly, I try to help students adjust to school without inflicting punishment because I don't think that punishment really solves anything," he told Kearns High yearbook staff.
Kent was a lifelong, devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the Lord and served in many callings throughout his life, including Sunday School Teacher, Young Men's Teacher, Priesthood Instructor, Second Counselor to Bishop Joseph Davies, Jr., of the Lake Ridge Ward, counselor in another bishopric, Bishop of the Taylorsville Thirteenth Ward and Taylorsville Fifteenth Ward, Second Counselor to President Paul Fordham in the Taylorsville North Stake Presidency, Taylorsville North Stake High Council Member, and Temple Worker in the Jordan River Temple's baptistry. He served as the Scout-O-Rama Chairman for the western area of the Great Salt Lake Council. In addition, Kent served for fifteen years with his good friend and neighbor, Larry Thomas, as priesthood representatives at Girls Camp. Due to Kent's military service, he was unable to complete a mission. He and Bonnie made a goal to serve one at a later date. They ended up serving five missions, their first one from December 1997 to December 1998 in the Houston Texas Mission Office and the remaining four in Salt Lake City.
Uncle Kent loved traveling, watching Matlock reruns during lunch, Diet Coke, and Dr. Pepper. In 2013, he achieved a lifelong goal of completing his autobiography "This Is As Good As It Gets."
Above all else, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. He left to cherish his memory: his wife and children; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara (Bill) Inkley of Magna and Rula (John) Flink of Ogden; and brother-in-law, Dee (Ann) Bradshaw, of South Jordan; as well as countless nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruel and Zola Curtis; siblings, Phyrl (Oris) Black, Ruel Wayne Curtis, Gae (Norm) Gibbons, Dale Curtis, DeVon (Bertha) Curtis, Sara (Henk) Flink, and Linda Bradshaw; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Nicholes Curtis.
He struggled with ill health during his later years, but kept going and endured to the end. After eighty-six years, one month, and seven days on this earth, Uncle Kent passed away at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.
The last time I saw him was at my Aunt Bertha's funeral. My mother was recovering from knee replacement surgery and her brothers couldn't make it in from out of state, so I was the only person from my grandparents' family in attendance. I was standing at the gravesite, feeling a little down and lonely, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Uncle Kent! He gave me a big hug and we talked for a few minutes. It was a brief interaction, but it meant the world to me that day. I walked away feeling upbeat and ready to take on the world. He had that kind of effect on people and reminded me so much of my Grandpa Norm. Rest in peace, Uncle Kent. Till we meet again.
Funeral services were held on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Taylorsville Fifteenth Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1457 West Atherton Drive (4340 South) in Taylorsville. Calling hours were held on Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home located at 4330 South Redwood Road (1700 West) in Taylorsville and prior to the services at the church on Friday from 10:00-10:45 a.m.
Uncle Kent was laid to rest following the conclusion of the funeral services in the family plot at Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery located at 6500 South Redwood Road (1700 West) in Taylorsville.
Summary of funeral services:
Funeral services were held under the direction of Bishop Jim Christensen.
The family prayer was offered by Scott Clark. Following the prayer, the casket was closed and family members commenced their procession into the chapel as "Families Can Be Together Forever" was playing on the organ.
The prelude music, accompaniment, and postlude music was offered by Paula Pack.
The chorister was LaVerne Walton.
The invocation was offered by Larry Thomas.
Musical numbers performed included: "Oh, What Songs of The Heart," which was performed by the congregation; "Families Can Be Together Forever," which was performed by Kent's great-grandchildren; "His Hands," which was performed by some of Kent's grandchildren; and "Abide With Me," which was performed by the congregation.
Speakers included: Susan Curtis, Sandy Clark, Staci Koudelka, Bryce Curtis, Scott Curtis, Sherman Curtis, and Bishop Jim Christensen.
The benediction was offered by Scott Clark.
With "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" playing on the organ, the family exited the chapel and proceeded to Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery, where the grave was dedicated by Stuart Curtis and military honors were subsequently accorded.
Pallbearers included: Stephen Curtis, Stuart Curtis, Sherman Curtis, Scott Curtis, Bryce Curtis, Daniel Curtis, Preston Clark, Matthew Clark, and Ammon Williamson.
Honorary pallbearers included: Chad Curtis, Brian Clark, Drew Curtis, Judd Koudelka, Austin Corbell, and Brad Corbell.
"I love you all.
"To all of you who I love so dearly and owe so much, I say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a wonderful ride because...
"That's as Good as It Gets!" — Kent Curtis
Jay Kent Curtis was born Monday, June 6, 1932 in the family home at 938 South 800 East in the East Central neighborhood of Salt Lake City to Ruel and Mary Zola Harward Curtis. "He was a real husky baby, weighed ten and a half pounds. He was always a roudy [sic] child and always had an answer for everything you ever said but he was always a very good little boy," Ruel later wrote.
"[Kent] was so good sleeping nearly all the time. The only problem was that DeVon was only 17 months old and he didn't want me to hold Kent at all. He would cry and push on him so real quick Kent had to learn how to share. As they grew DeVon grew slow and Kent grew so fast that soon people would ask if they were twins. I remember we had bought them a red pull over sweater with a black design in it. I would make them little pants out of men's suit pants and they always looked so cute," Zola wrote in 1976. "One night Dad had them down town [sic] and he was so proud of our kids. He had a hold of each one's hand when an old man, real well dressed [sic], walked right up in front of them and squated [sic] down in front of them. He talked to them and then gave each of them a quarter. Then he stood up and said to Dad, 'I am a wealthy man but I would give everything I own to have twin boy's [sic] like that.'"
In 1937, the family moved to 2019 South 800 East in nearby Sugar House, where Kent grew up. He attended Forest Park Elementary School, Irving Junior High School, and South High School (Class of 1951), all of which have now closed. He also attended Weber State College and the University of Utah, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education (Class of 1957) and Master of Science degree in Educational Administration (Class of 1967).
Kent valiantly served our country in the United States Army. He reported to the induction center at Fort Douglas on Tuesday, October 28, 1952, underwent basic training at Fort Ord, California, and spent sixteen months in Korea before returning to Salt Lake City in August 1954.
Kent was sealed for time and all eternity to his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Jean Luker, on Wednesday, May 28, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1955 to 1965, they made their home in Magna, residing at 3380 South Fairlane Street (7655 West). In 1965, they moved to 1441 West Fernwood Drive (4395 South) in Taylorsville.
He was a longtime educator in the Granite School District. His positions included science teacher and counselor at Central Junior High School (now Granite Park Junior High School), Valley Junior High School, and Granite High School from 1958-1970; vice principal at Kearns High School from 1970-1984; and principal at Stansbury Elementary School from 1984-1987. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa International. "His love for children and their education will never retire," said a school spokesman at the time of his retirement. Kent was a recipient of the "Principal of the Year" award. From 1987 until 1990, he served as director of the Park City Teen Center.
A kind and benevolent human being, Uncle Kent applied those personality traits to his job as an educator. "I try to help students realize their responsibilities. You can't scare these kids, and they don't respect you if you try. Mainly, I try to help students adjust to school without inflicting punishment because I don't think that punishment really solves anything," he told Kearns High yearbook staff.
Kent was a lifelong, devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the Lord and served in many callings throughout his life, including Sunday School Teacher, Young Men's Teacher, Priesthood Instructor, Second Counselor to Bishop Joseph Davies, Jr., of the Lake Ridge Ward, counselor in another bishopric, Bishop of the Taylorsville Thirteenth Ward and Taylorsville Fifteenth Ward, Second Counselor to President Paul Fordham in the Taylorsville North Stake Presidency, Taylorsville North Stake High Council Member, and Temple Worker in the Jordan River Temple's baptistry. He served as the Scout-O-Rama Chairman for the western area of the Great Salt Lake Council. In addition, Kent served for fifteen years with his good friend and neighbor, Larry Thomas, as priesthood representatives at Girls Camp. Due to Kent's military service, he was unable to complete a mission. He and Bonnie made a goal to serve one at a later date. They ended up serving five missions, their first one from December 1997 to December 1998 in the Houston Texas Mission Office and the remaining four in Salt Lake City.
Uncle Kent loved traveling, watching Matlock reruns during lunch, Diet Coke, and Dr. Pepper. In 2013, he achieved a lifelong goal of completing his autobiography "This Is As Good As It Gets."
Above all else, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. He left to cherish his memory: his wife and children; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara (Bill) Inkley of Magna and Rula (John) Flink of Ogden; and brother-in-law, Dee (Ann) Bradshaw, of South Jordan; as well as countless nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruel and Zola Curtis; siblings, Phyrl (Oris) Black, Ruel Wayne Curtis, Gae (Norm) Gibbons, Dale Curtis, DeVon (Bertha) Curtis, Sara (Henk) Flink, and Linda Bradshaw; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Nicholes Curtis.
He struggled with ill health during his later years, but kept going and endured to the end. After eighty-six years, one month, and seven days on this earth, Uncle Kent passed away at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.
The last time I saw him was at my Aunt Bertha's funeral. My mother was recovering from knee replacement surgery and her brothers couldn't make it in from out of state, so I was the only person from my grandparents' family in attendance. I was standing at the gravesite, feeling a little down and lonely, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Uncle Kent! He gave me a big hug and we talked for a few minutes. It was a brief interaction, but it meant the world to me that day. I walked away feeling upbeat and ready to take on the world. He had that kind of effect on people and reminded me so much of my Grandpa Norm. Rest in peace, Uncle Kent. Till we meet again.
Funeral services were held on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Taylorsville Fifteenth Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1457 West Atherton Drive (4340 South) in Taylorsville. Calling hours were held on Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home located at 4330 South Redwood Road (1700 West) in Taylorsville and prior to the services at the church on Friday from 10:00-10:45 a.m.
Uncle Kent was laid to rest following the conclusion of the funeral services in the family plot at Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery located at 6500 South Redwood Road (1700 West) in Taylorsville.
Summary of funeral services:
Funeral services were held under the direction of Bishop Jim Christensen.
The family prayer was offered by Scott Clark. Following the prayer, the casket was closed and family members commenced their procession into the chapel as "Families Can Be Together Forever" was playing on the organ.
The prelude music, accompaniment, and postlude music was offered by Paula Pack.
The chorister was LaVerne Walton.
The invocation was offered by Larry Thomas.
Musical numbers performed included: "Oh, What Songs of The Heart," which was performed by the congregation; "Families Can Be Together Forever," which was performed by Kent's great-grandchildren; "His Hands," which was performed by some of Kent's grandchildren; and "Abide With Me," which was performed by the congregation.
Speakers included: Susan Curtis, Sandy Clark, Staci Koudelka, Bryce Curtis, Scott Curtis, Sherman Curtis, and Bishop Jim Christensen.
The benediction was offered by Scott Clark.
With "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" playing on the organ, the family exited the chapel and proceeded to Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery, where the grave was dedicated by Stuart Curtis and military honors were subsequently accorded.
Pallbearers included: Stephen Curtis, Stuart Curtis, Sherman Curtis, Scott Curtis, Bryce Curtis, Daniel Curtis, Preston Clark, Matthew Clark, and Ammon Williamson.
Honorary pallbearers included: Chad Curtis, Brian Clark, Drew Curtis, Judd Koudelka, Austin Corbell, and Brad Corbell.
