James G. Curtiss

James Gary Curtiss, age 87, of London, Ohio, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on November 8, 2023.  Born December 10, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Milton and Mary Curtiss, Jim was a graduate of Holy Family School.  He was a veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard.  Jim was a man of so many varied interests.  He enjoyed skydiving and in his younger years was a member of the Columbus Skydivers. He especially loved studying WWII History and was quite the history buff. He enjoyed anthropology and astronomy and could “clear a room” talking non-stop about these subjects!  Jim was also interested in studying about his Catholic faith and the history of the Catholic Church.  He was a sculptor and a creator of ceramic molds who enjoyed being a photographer and painter of still life and cityscapes.  He once played an extra in the movie “False Flags” and loved making movies. Jim was a published author and wrote “The Journal of Lance Sterling,””Angel Eyes,” and “Midnight Whiskey.” But to Jim, his Catholic faith and his family were the center of his life.  He was always telling “Dad jokes,” making puns and sharing funny stories and whenever asked how he was doing replied, “Better than I deserve.”  He was known for being the “MacGyver” of his family.  He jerry-rigged everything! And, as his family will attest, Jim could never have enough Hawaiian shirts!

In his younger days, Jim was known for his Halloween parties, which lasted well into the early morning-with many guests having to spend the night.  Although he was a health nut, he had no self-control when he was around dark chocolate, pumpkin pie, White Castles, Pat’s Pizza, Mike’s Rueben Sandwiches, Fig Newtons and gingersnaps.  He also enjoyed his Merlot, Jameson Whiskey and beer.  Jim loved to sit on his porch, or by a bonfire, to take in all of God’s splendors.  He would watch the birds, the sunsets, and study the moon and the stars.  He loved to research and study anything that made him curious.

Jim loved to volunteer his time at the Madison County Food Pantry where he visited shut-ins.  He was a former Clerk at Kroger, a Park Ranger at the Franklin County Metro Parks and a Security Guard with Securitas.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Richard Taylor, brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Mary Cochran, niece Sarah Cochran and nephew Cole Cochran.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Elizabeth Jean Curtiss, his children: Laura Patton (Roger), Gina Bricker (Brian Price), Elizabeth Hayden (Sam), Amber Breedlove (Scott), Alex Curtiss (Andrea Webb), Shannon Curtiss, and Jason Curtiss, his siblings: Nancy Taylor and John Curtiss (Berneda), his grandchildren: Brandon Patton (Kayla Miller), Bailee Patton (John Peters), Channen Bricker (Shianne Hall), John Lovda, Abigail Breedlove, Sophiah Webb, and Amiyah Webb, his many nieces and nephews including his special niece Sarah Curtiss, his In-laws: Mary Meadors (Clint), Shirley Riggs (Jack), and Richard Cochran (Ann), and Special Friends: Kathleen Vacheresse, Diane Kaiser and Dr. Timothy Ryan.

The family will receive friends from 10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 at SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 9350 High Free Pike, West Jefferson, OH 43162 where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00a.m. FRIDAY with Father Dwayne McNew, Celebrant. Burial will follow the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, West Jefferson.  Friends are invited back to the Church after the burial services for a reception.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Joel Rice, APRN-CNP, Dr. Rifat Elkhatib, the Madison Health Oncology and ER nurses, and other staff at Madison Health.  Thank you!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to SS. Simon and Jude Catholic Church 9350 High Free Pike, West Jefferson, OH 43162, in his memory.

The Rader-McDonald-Tidd Funeral Home, 1355 W. Main St., West Jefferson, OH 43162 (614)-879-9222, assisted the family.  Please visit the funeral home website: www.radermcdonaldtiddfuneralhome.com to share your favorite memories and to send your condolences to the Curtiss Family.