Neal R. Curtis

Enoch, Utah - Neal Ross Curtis, age 66 of Enoch, Utah, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Our beloved patriarch passed away at home surrounded by his family. Neal was born Nov. 13, 1946, to Herald Lero and Mary Emily Hunt Curtis in Salina, Utah. One of ten children, Neal grew up working on the family farm in Aurora, Utah, although he did not enjoy it. He was always known as a tease and found ways to make the work more enjoyable by terrorizing his sisters. His teasing is something his grandkids will miss the most. Neal’s teasing didn’t stop with family. He enjoyed terrorizing his teachers at North Sevier High School, but did graduate in 1965 before serving in the Western Central States Mission for the LDS Church later that year. After serving his mission, Neal attended Snow College in 1968. He enlisted in the Navy in 1970 and was stationed in Hawaii. Due to his religious beliefs on not drinking alcohol, Neal was assigned to work in the Navy’s “beverage store”. He enjoyed this position because it allowed him weekends and holidays off. While he was stationed in Hawaii and serving as a church Young Single Adult President, Neal met April Lehano in 1972. Dad found his match in Mom, but he persevered and even waited for her to serve her mission to the Philippines before she consented to marry him. Neal and April were married in the Laie Hawaii LDS Temple on June 27, 1975. They moved to Cedar City, Utah, where Neal was enrolled at Southern Utah State College to study accounting. After graduation, Neal and April remained in Cedar City where Neal worked as an accountant for 35 years. Over the years, Neal served in several church capacities. He enjoyed most the many years he spent working with the young adults in the University Stake. Neal also served two terms on the Enoch City Council. He loved being a Little League coach and umpire. Neal will be remembered for his love of fishing, gardening, and pine nut hunting. Dad’s ultimate love was Mom. He lived to spoil her, and wouldn’t be content leaving this world without making sure her every need was met. Nothing meant more to Dad than Mom’s happiness. She is his eternal companion. Neal is survived by his wife, April, and their four children: Ryan (Amanda) Curtis of San Tan Valley, Ariz., Kamalani (Brock) Hansen of Queen Creek, Ariz., Namealoha (Jude) Sells of Provo, Utah, and Kaleo (Megan) Curtis of North Las Vegas, Nevada. Neal and April have seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Curtis, of Aurora, Utah, and his nine siblings: LaMoine Curtis of Phoenix, Arizona; Ronald Curtis of Monroe; Glade Curtis of Santa Clara; Juana Frisby of Bloomington; Valene Hagen of West Valley City; Sherron Coults of Aurora; Carol Slack of Page, Arizona; Alan Curtis of Richfield; and MaryLee Dalley of Riverton. Neal is preceded in death by his father, Herald Curtis; a sister-in-law: Lynda Curtis; and two brothers-in-law: Dennis Dalley and Ronald Hagen. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. in the Enoch LDS Stake Center, 2233 Heather Hue Road in Enoch. Friends may call for viewing at the Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 North 300 West in Cedar City, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the Enoch Stake Center, Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Iron County Veterans Coalition and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Enoch Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the General Missionary or Humanitarian Funds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.