Charles L. Curtiss

Charles L. Curtiss, 61, concluded his battle with cancer May 6, 2013 at his home.

Charles was born on July 30, 1951 in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of Earl and Oma Lee (Coleman) Curtiss.

He served his country as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Air Force from 1970-73 completing tours of duty in Thailand, Alaska, Nova Scotia, and Labrador.

He was an employee of Hallmark Cards in Lawrence for 38 years, retiring in 2007.

Charles married Debra Nichols in 1983; they divorced in 1994.

He is survived by his mother, Oma Lee Curtiss, and brother, Richard (Bonnie) Curtiss all of Lawrence, brother Don (Brenda) Curtiss of Pocatello, ID, sister Alice (Richard) Clark of Eudora, and brother Joe (Susan) Curtiss of Ellinwood, KS, son Richie (Susan) Curtiss of Oklahoma City, OK, daughter Kim Curtiss of Lawrence, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Curtiss.

Charles was intensely interested in genealogy tracing his own family back hundreds of years and also providing family trees to countless friends and relatives. His kind and generous spirit was known by all who let him enter their lives.

Funeral will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family invites friends and family to join them following the graveside service for food and fellowship at the East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th Street.

Friends may call from noon – 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles L. Curtiss Memorial Fund administered by the Douglas County Community Foundation, to benefit those in need, or Grace Hospice, both in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.