Curtis Lee

Curtis Lee, an unassuming, selfless man of 86 years, concluded his life's journey May 29, 2013, in the home where he and Shirley England Lee, his sweetheart of 64 years, had lived nearly all of their married life. The journey began April 16, 1927, in Grouse Creek, Utah, as the fifth of ten children born to Edward and Rhoda Paskett Lee. In a loving, poverty-stricken family, living in Oakley, Idaho, Curtis learned how to share, how to have empathy for others, how to avoid most trouble, and how to serve with no expectation of reward. Greater life-lessons were learned as an 18-year-old in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he learned how to operate tanks and established a reputation as a sure "designated driver" when his fellow-soldiers had had too much to drink. Armed with the benefits of the G.I. Bill, he attended and eventually graduated from Brigham Young University, where he met Shirley (daughter of Milton and Bessie England) at a dance for students from Southern Idaho. To the marriage that began in the Logan LDS Temple in 1948 came three children: Robert England (Peggy) of Pocatello, Larry Curtis (Beverly) of Blue Earth, Minnesota, and Candace (Don) Busby of Ogden, Utah. Whether coaching at Alameda Junior High or teaching math at Irving Junior High (with an occasional ping-pong game thrown in), timing athletic events at Holt Arena, or touring the world in the summers while he and Shirley taught in the Saudi Arabian International School in Taif, Saudi Arabia, he remained the same: reliable, a man of his word, willing to do whatever it took to get the job done, and quick to flash a smile. Knowing the value of having a mother stay home to raise her children, Curtis worked after school and in the summers to help make ends meet; first, working on the loading docks of Consolidated Freightways; and later, having weekly near-death experiences as a driver's training instructor. Knowing the frightful effects of the Great Depression, he established a goal to be out of debt by the time he was 40. He achieved that goal and virtually every other goal he set. He was a dedicated, faithful member of the LDS Church. His service included high counselor, bishop, bishop's counselor, executive secretary, ward clerk, high priests group leader, and youth callings. His greatest joy seemed to be when he worked with Shirley in the nursery. For two years he served as the director of the Pocatello Family History Center. Up until this year, he served as First Ward membership clerk, delighting in meeting new families and finding people no one else could find. He kicked every tire in every automobile dealership in Pocatello, never threw anything away, never lost anything, and loved taking Shirley and guests to the Golden Corral. Curtis was on speed-dial for many widows who lived in his neighborhood. They knew he would always respond to an inconvenient call. On wintery days he quietly woke before dawn and shoveled snow from their sidewalks. This he did well into his 80s. Despite the fact that he could go nowhere in town without being recognized, he thought of himself as a pretty average sort of fellow with children and grandchildren who just happened to adore him as much as he adored them. Their hope is that their Heavenly Father will be as gracious, loving and kind. At the time of his passing, he and Shirley had 3 children, 20 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, and one grandchild. On Sunday, June 2nd, there will be a viewing from 6-8 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South Fourth, in Pocatello. Funeral services will be at the Pocatello Stake Center, 655 South Grant, on Monday, June 3rd at 11:00 a.m., with Bishop Klane Anderson conducting. Prior to the funeral, there will be a viewing from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Military honors will be provided by the combined veterans honor guard at Restlawn cemetery where Curtis will be laid to rest.