D. Leon Curtis

D. Leon Curtis spent his lifetime helping people in need, taking his ministry on the road in dozens of states throughout his more than 29 years as a minister for Community of Christ.

Mr. Curtis died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on Nov. 24, 2016, in Lawrence, Kan., where he has lived for the past 27 years. A memorial service will be held Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. at University Community of Christ, 1900 University Drive, Lawrence.

He loved his family, horses and singing, appreciated good humor, and gave of himself generously to anyone who asked for help. He had a special love for children, responding with light in his eyes when they came to visit him. His devotion to the Community of Christ church (formerly Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) was legendary, leading to successive missionary appointments in Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Connecticut, Maryland, South Carolina, Illinois and Kansas among others.

Mr. Curtis often said that compassion was the measure of a good life. He practiced that belief in his many years in the church, often structuring his sermons to teach about peace, hope, love, faith and forgiveness. He performed numerous blessings of children, funerals to help grieving families in their last goodbyes, and weddings to celebrate joyful beginnings. He officiated the weddings of his daughters and his granddaughters.

Mr. Curtis was born June 17, 1929, in Blue Springs, Mo. He was raised in a farm family. He worked for Montgomery Wards, Sears Roebuck, Herald Publishing House and Missouri Office Equipment before joining the U.S. Air Force. Those four years included a deployment to Germany. Mr. Curtis was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. He worked for AT&T before becoming a full-time minister.

He graduated from high school in Lee’s Summit, Mo., in 1947. He studied at colleges in Kansas City and Warrensburg, Mo. and at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. He took many courses in theology and was a certified Temple School instructor.

He married Ardith Reynolds in 1950 in Independence, Mo. She survives him in Lawrence. They had five children, all of whom survive: Rebecca Giles (Kevin) of Stillwater, Minn.; Philip Curtis, Jeffrey Curtis and Randall Curtis, all of Lawrence; and Lianna Corteville (Timothy) of Chesterfield, Mo. He also has five grandchildren: Heather Peacock (James) of Columbia Falls, Mont., Harmony MacDonald (James) of Lincoln, Neb., Hillorie Giles-Brauch (Dwayne) of Cottage Grove, Minn., Erin Corteville of Chesterfield, Mo., and Austin Corteville of Chesterfield. Mr. Curtis also is survived by seven great grandchildren: Haylie and Kimberly Peacock of Columbia Falls, Kazin Giles and Kyleigh and Kayde Brauch of Cottage Grove, and Seanna and Liam MacDonald of Lincoln.

Mr. Curtis is survived by a brother, George Curtis, Jr., of Kansas City, Mo., and a sister, Mamie Marie Johnson of Kansas City. Three other sisters preceded him in death: Hazel Remington, Elsie Aline Willoughby and Mildred Curtis.

Cremation has taken place. Honorary pallbearers are James Peacock, James MacDonald, Dwayne Brauch, Austin Corteville, Kazin Giles, Liam MacDonald and Kayde Brauch.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made in care of the University Community of Christ memorial fund in Lawrence, the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences can be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.