Max J Curtis

Aurora, Utah - Max J Curtis, 89, passed away peacefully May 18, 2011, at his home in Aurora surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 1, 1922, in Aurora, Utah, a son of Lero and Hazel Kennedy Curtis. He graduated from North Sevier High School where he was active in basketball, baseball, track, and FFA. Max married Beth Marie Sorensen, September 19, 1941 in the Manti LDS Temple. He was a hard working, strong willed, dedicated man in all of his endeavors. He started farming with his family at a very young age before starting a sawmill business in Bicknell, logging from the West Mountain and Boulder Mountain. After selling the sawmill, he moved to Arizona for a couple of years working for the Arlington Cattle Company. Following that, he moved back to Aurora where he was employed by SUFCO Coal Company. To show his further ambition, he and Beth purchased the Aurora Merc and then the Star Theater in Gunnison. After retiring from the coal mine, he reverted back to his farming roots and started a pig farm south of Aurora along with running cattle on his beloved West Mountain. He said he would never retire again, because he’s never worked so hard in his life. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with various callings such as Elders Quorum President and Salina Stake High Council. He and Beth were even ward and stake dance directors back in the day. They also served as Manti Temple Ordinance Workers for 5 years. Max always enjoyed telling stories about playing for the state high school basketball championship his senior year and playing on the Aurora Town Baseball Team and often talked of his many friends and teammates. He loved fishing, hunting and camping with his family. Another favorite hobby of his was bowling with Marvin Mason every week where they won many trophies. Max was always very civic minded and served several years on the Aurora Town Board. Dinner at KFC was always a favorite of Max’s, that is until he ventured into the pork and beef business. Then fried chicken was banned from the family and Burger King was the new favorite. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Beth Marie Sorensen Curtis, of Aurora; their children Marie (Roger) Taylor of Aurora; Calleen Curtis of Draper; Joan (Brent) Coates of Aurora; Dana Rae (Neal) Coates of Aurora; 17 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister Rena Corbridge of Preston, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons Jay M Curtis and Clyde Lero Curtis; grandson Cal Jay Curtis; brothers Herald, Blaine, Reed, and Guy Curtis; sisters Leda Larsen and Elda Freeman. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 12:00 noon in the Aurora 2nd Ward Chapel, 85 North Main Street in Aurora, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the services. Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina.