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SMSGT Gilbert Curtis, a retired US Air Force, died at his home in Wilxboro on February 2, 2025. Gilbert was born on July 10, 1930 of Felt Curtis and Vennen Church. He was one of 11 children. GIB served on an army tour in early 1948 and graduated from Camp Drake, Tokyo Japan, with First Golgotha and the 24th Infantry Division Bepu, Japan.
Gilbert Gibb married his wife at 74, Blanche Anderson Curtis, on May 13, 1950. He re -joined the service, this time with the US Air Force. His first task, Hunter AFB, as an ammunition specialist, loads special weapons on the B-29S/B-50S. He also worked on the B-47 and was selected as a 5 members loading crew while on TDY to Kirkland AFB, Albuquerque, NM to charge experimental weapons on the B-36. He continued to work in ammunition throughout his career and in 1967 was appointed to U-Tapao, Thailand, where he controls the loading of conventional bombs on the B-52. He completed his career at the SAC headquarters at Offutt AFB near Omaha, Nebraska, where he was on the MSET team. His tours took them to Alaska, Maine, Nebraska and Arkansas. In 1971, SMSGT Curtis received a promotion number at CMSGT, but chose to retire in July 1971.
After retirement, none who is idle, Gibb works part -time for Tam Shoemaker at Key City Automotive in the 70s and 80s. He loved old cars and was extremely special in the restoration of cars, seven for a period of 40 years or more. He and Blanche enjoyed camping and walking for car exhibitions for many years. In the mid -1980s, he began to repair and install real estate signs for Excelfield Executive Properties, and at one time he puts and/or removed four to five characters a week. He works by making signs until he is 80 years old.
On September 17, 1973, Gilbert was introduced into the York rite in the Masonic Temple. On August 24, 2023, he was awarded a dinner at the North Wilxboro Lodge, where he was presented with a certificate and PIN for 50 years of York Rite service, as well as the York Rite Knights Templar. He was 93 years old.
Mr. Curtis is preceded by death by a young son Johnny Curtis. He survived his wife of 74 years, Blanche A. Curtis and his daughter Patricia Curtis Brooks, as well as the Buddy Buddy Curtis (Connie) and Jesse Curtis (Vanda); Sisters, Nancy K. Drenten, Barbara K. McNale, Rheta Sue Caudle and Marlene Laws; And daughter -in -law, Joan Curtis. The Zeta James Anderson, Earl Anderson, Benny Bears and the daughter -in -law, the jewelry, Rose Lunance (Alan) and Nadin Anderson have also survived. He has many nephews, nephews and cousins from both Curtis and Anderson families. Everyone who knew Gibb will miss him a lot.
The funeral services will be held on 14:00 Friday, February 7, 2025, in the Reins-Sturdivant Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12: 45-1: 45 am before the service at the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral House. The funeral with full military honors and Masonic rituals will be held in the cemetery of the Baptist Church on a fishing fishing. The family wants no food or flowers.
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