JULY 14, 1941 – AUGUST 16, 2026
In the Care of Laird Funeral Home
Funeral service for Rankin Armstrong “Army” Curtis, Jr., 85 of Nacogdoches will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 21st, 2026 at Calvary Baptist Church with Bro. Dale Morton officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 at Calvary Baptist Church.
Mr. Curtis passed away on Sunday, August 16tth, 2026 in Garrison. He was born on July 14th, 1941 in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Army”, as most knew him, was hard working and enjoyed meeting and collaborating with friends through his experiences with Ham Radio, which he was active in throughout his entire life. Army participated not only in contests but also in emergency situations and running phone patch operations to offshore naval personnel and their families. He was an expert in electrical power distribution and antennae design. He had a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a very successful career beginning at El Paso Electric and then at Hawaii Electric Company in Honolulu and Hilo where he remained for 27 years. During his time in Hawaii, he helped to implement the first computer system for the company.
Army met and married Patricia Smith, and together they raised their son and daughter with strong values and ethics. He and Patricia shared many joyful memories while square dancing, traveling in their RV, and taking cruises. Their greatest joy, however, was being grandparents. He cherished every moment with those he loved.
Army was a past member of Rotary International, Shriner’s Club, Nacogdoches Amateur Radio Club, American Radio Relay League and an honorable Master Mason in Hawaii.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia Curtis of Nacogdoches; daughter, Cynthia Anne Iokepa of Glendale, Arizona; son, Army Curtis III & wife Janet of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Lorna Curtis of Charlotte, North Carolina, Alex Curtis of Galveston, Victoria Beyeler & husband Samuel of Flagstaff, Arizona and Jake Esveld of Mesa, Arizona and brother, Don Curtis of Phoenix, Arizona.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rankin Armstrong, Sr. and Elizabeth Sattler Curtis and brothers, George “Bud” Curtis and Charles “Chuck” Curtis.
Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Curtis’ honor to Christ Episcopal Church School at 1428 North Mound Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 or Nacogdoches Treatment Center at 119 Hughes Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.
Serving as pallbearers will be Darrell Thornton, Mark Phillips, Steve Bartlett, Andy Delgado, William Rascher and Jeff Clark, who are all fellow members of the Nacogdoches Amateur Radio Club.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rankin “Army” Armstrong Curtis, Jr., please visit Laird Funeral Home’s floral store.