Carl Lewis Curtis

Carl Lewis Curtis went home to be with his Lord on July 20, 2025 following an extended illness. He passed peacefully surrounded by his children and other family members.

He was born on June 20, 1941 in Bowling Green, Kentucky to the late Elijah Lewis Curtis and Menda Louise Howard Curtis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Baker and brother, Elijah Curtis, II.

He is survived by sisters, Jean Myers and Edith (Cordell) Dykes and brother, Michael (Penny) Curtis.

A devoted father, he is survived by his three children, Carl (Kimberly) Curtis, II, Tracy (Silissa) Curtis and Tina (Mike) Kraynak. He was a proud grandfather to Miranda (Dustin) Stephens, Joshua (Autumn) Curtis, Aaron Puckett, Matthew Dunn, Madison Curtis, Logan (Kaleb) Mills, Courtney Curtis and Alli (Colby) Lowery. He doted on his great-grandchildren, Autumn and Lakelyn Stephens, Cruz and Luna Curtis and Neyland, Rosalie and Carina Mills. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Carl loved telling stories about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, giving them nicknames, taking them candy and occasionally sharing “cheeseburger money.”

His family moved to Louisville, Kentucky when he was one, where he grew up until moving to McMinnville, Tennessee at age 17. A hard worker all his life, he traveled with friends to Massachusetts to work in tobacco at 17. At 18, he returned to McMinnville and joined the U.S. Army, completing basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the 2nd Infantry, Company D, 4th Platoon. He served overseas in Kafertal (Mannheim), Germany, and Camp America, France, as a refrigeration mechanic and petroleum specialist.

Following his discharge from the Army in March 1963, he began a 35-year career at Magnetek Century Electric the following month. While working full-time, he used his GI Bill to complete certifications at the McMinnville Vo-Tech Center, attending evening classes to become a certified welder and machinist.

Carl enjoyed bowling in many leagues with family and friends, including the “Stump Jumpers,” who won the local Super Bowl tournament two years in a row. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge #1725, and the Moose Legion, serving as administrator of the local lodge and on the district board.

He retired at age 56 and enjoyed traveling with his sisters and friends, taking trips to casinos in Nevada, Nebraska, New Jersey, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Mississippi. Later in life, he found joy in cooking hot dogs for his children’s pets, caring for Buford, Mufasa, Elvis, Teddy, Leo, Sam and Fitz, and carrying peanuts to place in trees for the squirrels.

Carl accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior on January 2, 1972 at Pineland Gospel Mission. While attending there, he served as a deacon, drove the church bus, and participated in Saturday visitations to build the bus ministry. As his health allowed, he attended church with his children at The Vine Baptist Church in McMinnville and the Church of the Nazarene in Doyle, Tennessee.

The family extends a special thanks to the nurses and chaplain of Gentiva Hospice for the care and compassion shown to Carl and his family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 25, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Tracy Curtis on Saturday, July 26, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of High Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Long Cemetery in Van Buren County.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.