McMinnville resident and Warren County native Beachel Lee Curtis, 72, was born July 14, 1939 and died Sept. 14 at his residence following an extended illness.
Mr. Curtis was retired from the United States Army where he served in Korea and Vietnam and was also chef/owner of Curtis’ Restaurant from 1982-1983, a truck driver for Toby Donalson’s Trucking from 1995-2005, and a member of the VFW. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1980 retiring as a dining facility master sergeant after cooking for 24 generals during the Vietnam War. In 1975, he received the ADA Best Mess Award and was commended for outstanding performance of duty with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Basic Combat Training Brigade and in 1976 32nd AADCOM Best Mess Award.
He was the son of the late Arthur Martin and Myrtle Dodson Curtis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Tony and Rodean Curtis; sister Icalee Curtis Dowell; sister-in-law Helen Nunley Curtis ,and brother-in-law Murlyn Dowell.
He was married April 21, 1984 to Melba Jean Rogers Curtis of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, LTC, USAF Beachel Sean and Temera Curtis of Phoenix, Ariz., and LTC (Ret.) Joseph Shane and Debbie Curtis of Lansing, Kan.; four stepchildren, Dwayne Brown and wife Sheila of McMinnville, Carlos Brown of LaVergne, Dondi Volz of McKinney, Texas, and Rick Stacy; 10 grandchildren, Nichole Smith and husband J.J., Dustin Brown, McKenna Curtis, Mariah Curtis, Jack Curtis, Max Curtis, Paul Curtis, Ian Cathcart, Alex Cathcart and Ricky Stacey; two great-grandchildren, Alyz Smith and Aniston Smith; two brothers and sister-in-law, Avery and Teresa Curtis, and Cleston Curtis, all of McMinnville; sister and brother-in-law, Clema and Charles Owen of Laredo, Texas; 12 nieces, Carylene Dowell Gentry, Sue Dowell Butler, Janice Dowell Wells, Joyce Dowell Bieger, Cheryl Curtis Hitchcock, Elaine Curtis Lawson, Valerie Owen Shirley, Amy Owen Lozano, Keri Curtis Morton, Kristi Curtis Judkins, Michelle Curtis Priest and Tanya Owen; three nephews, Darryl Curtis, Joe Curtis and Anthony Curtis; 35 great-nieces and great-nephews, six great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews and very special friend Toby Donalson of McMinnville.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at High’s Chapel with James E. Bond officiating. Burial will follow at Center Hill Cemetery at Hills Creek with full military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at High’s. Memorial contributions may be made to the Curtis Family Relay For Life Team c/o High’s.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Sept. 16, 2011