LAWRENCE — Charles L. Curtiss, 61, concluded his battle with cancer May 6, at his home. Born on July 30, 1951, in Lawrence, he was the son of Earl and Oma Lee (Coleman) Curtiss. In 1983, he married Debra Nichols. They divorced in 1994. He was an employee of Hallmark Cards in Lawrence for 38 years, retiring in 2007. 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.
Mr. Curtiss served his country as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force from 1970-73, completing tours of duty in Thailand, Alaska, Nova Scotia, and Labrador.
Survivors include, his mother, Oma Lee Curtiss of Lawrence; three brothers, Richard (Bonnie) Curtiss of Lawrence, Don (Brenda) Curtiss of Pocatello, Idaho and Joe (Susan) Curtiss of Ellinwood; a sister Alice (Richard) Clark of Eudora; a son Richie (Susan) Curtiss of Oklahoma City, Okla.; a daughter Kim Curtiss of Lawrence; and four grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Curtiss.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday 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. 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. Online condolences may be sent to rumsey-yost.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home**
601 Indiana St.
Lawrence, KS 66044
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, May 8, 2013