Charles Thomas Curtis, 74

Charles Thomas Curtis, 74, died March 12, 2020 in his home in Troy. He succumbed to lung cancer after a three-year battle. He was surrounded by family and friends in the days leading up to his death.

He was born on March 7, 1946 in Santa Clara, Calif. Charles was commonly known as Chuck and was raised in California. He had traveled throughout the country and commonly worked as a guide as well as an electrician. He was always up for an adventure as well as enjoying the splendor of the outdoors. You never knew where you would find him if he had gone out fishing or picking mushrooms.

He always loved to cook and this is how he met his first wife, Melody Lee Grimes of Fresno, Calif., in 1965 at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. They had two daughters, Mary Margaret Lee Curtis Spaid (husband, David Allen Spaid) and True Lee Curtis Durant (husband, Robert Allen Durant). In time, the women added five children and nine grandchildren to the family. Being very independent-minded, they decided to part ways after a time.

Charles was a self-proclaimed hermit though in reality he really wasn’t. He liked relationships but he wanted them on his terms. He especially loved dogs, sometimes even more than people. In fact, on his front porch he had a sign that read, “My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.”

Charles had many interests. During quiet times, he particularly enjoyed making jewelry. He had a preference for working with abalone, ivory and wood. Jewelry-making was a passion that Verna Jo Cox also enjoyed. The two joined in matrimony in 1974. There was great pride in Verna’s scrimshaw.

Together, they had two sons: Shane Thomas Curtis and Jacobi Kingston Curtis. The boys also added to the new generation with eight children and a grandchild.

Charles’ legacy enriches their lives through memories and lessons learned, whether it was playing cards, eating ice cream or enjoying an old western. There are many memories to cherish.

Private family services were held. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in

Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.