Ray Curtis Sr
January 31, 1943 - June 19, 2022
Obituary
Our loving husband and father passed away on Father's Day, June 19, following complications after cancer surgery. Ray was born January 31, 1943, in Dodge City, Kansas, at the regional hospital to Avis and Raymond Curtis. He grew up in Moscow, Kansas, where he was active in school sports and band. He worked very hard plowing for several farmers in the area and drove an anhydrous ammonia truck for the local Co-op. Being a Kansas farm boy gave him a very strong work ethic. He and his twin brother, Roy, would take their earnings to Liberal, Kansas, on Saturdays and spend it on airplane lessons. He got his private pilot's license in 1963.
Ray attended the University of Kansas and got his degree in accounting, and where he met his future wife. They were married on February 29, 1964, which meant that he only had to remember their anniversary once every four years. They had two great sons and 58 wonderful years together from this union.
Ray was a CPA in Billings for many years. He was partnered with Tony Gerharz, then Dale Owen and Charles Sommers over the years. He was a past president of the Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants. As a CPA, he enjoyed helping his clients and took pride in his profession.
He was a past member of the Riverside Optimists and flew to Canada for various meetings. Once he had his commercial license, 1977, he flew part-time for Lynch Flying Service. He remembered with great enthusiasm the flights he took hauling freight, fire fighters, power line spotters and air ambulance flights. Those flights in particular stayed with him because he was helping people get the care they needed.
After he retired, he took up wood turning and was a member of the Yellowstone Wood Turners group. He made many bowls and Christmas ornaments which he gave away to family and friends. Ray also took up golf, or maybe it took him. Though he did not golf regularly, he enjoyed it when he did. He also was active at the YMCA where he exercised at 5:00 a.m. three or more mornings a week. In typical “type A” fashion he mowed his neighbor's lawns, cleaned up the leaves, cleared the snow from their walks, took care of their cats when they were away, and enjoyed talking with them because most of all Ray enjoyed helping people. It was the thing that really meant the world to him.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Gray); sons Ray Jr. and David and his wife Tina; twin brother Roy; sister ZoAnn (Mrs. Garry Roland); nephew Cary (Susan) Roland; nieces Candy (Mrs. Willis) Lampe, and Amy Davidson; and many great nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond, and mother, Avis.
Please keep Ray in your thoughts and remember his with kindness. He requested no service, but to be cremated and his ashes scattered over the Montana mountains.
Ray attended the University of Kansas and got his degree in accounting, and where he met his future wife. They were married on February 29, 1964, which meant that he only had to remember their anniversary once every four years. They had two great sons and 58 wonderful years together from this union.
Ray was a CPA in Billings for many years. He was partnered with Tony Gerharz, then Dale Owen and Charles Sommers over the years. He was a past president of the Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants. As a CPA, he enjoyed helping his clients and took pride in his profession.
He was a past member of the Riverside Optimists and flew to Canada for various meetings. Once he had his commercial license, 1977, he flew part-time for Lynch Flying Service. He remembered with great enthusiasm the flights he took hauling freight, fire fighters, power line spotters and air ambulance flights. Those flights in particular stayed with him because he was helping people get the care they needed.
After he retired, he took up wood turning and was a member of the Yellowstone Wood Turners group. He made many bowls and Christmas ornaments which he gave away to family and friends. Ray also took up golf, or maybe it took him. Though he did not golf regularly, he enjoyed it when he did. He also was active at the YMCA where he exercised at 5:00 a.m. three or more mornings a week. In typical “type A” fashion he mowed his neighbor's lawns, cleaned up the leaves, cleared the snow from their walks, took care of their cats when they were away, and enjoyed talking with them because most of all Ray enjoyed helping people. It was the thing that really meant the world to him.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Gray); sons Ray Jr. and David and his wife Tina; twin brother Roy; sister ZoAnn (Mrs. Garry Roland); nephew Cary (Susan) Roland; nieces Candy (Mrs. Willis) Lampe, and Amy Davidson; and many great nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond, and mother, Avis.
Please keep Ray in your thoughts and remember his with kindness. He requested no service, but to be cremated and his ashes scattered over the Montana mountains.
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Memories
BP
Barbara Prestrud
Other •
Ray was absolutely the best neighbor anyone could have. I often said I couldn’t continue to live here if not for Ray and my brother. He was always on the spot at the first sign of snow (I told him it was like Santa coming when I would awake to the sound of him snow blowing). He raked and bagged tons of leaves, cleaned street gutters and was a great cook who loved to share. My cat would wander in and out of Dorothy and Rays house, eating Bojangles special diet food and Ray never said no when asked if they would care for my cat while I was gone. Both Dorothy and Ray hold a special place in my heart and Ray will be missed and never forgotten 💔
JK
Jan Kirk
Other •
I worked with Ray for many years in the accounting business. He was always at the office early in the morning. I will miss him and the many memories I have of his caring spirit. Thoughts and prayers to Dorothy and his family Jan kirk
SN
Stephanie Nance
Other •
I first met Ray while working at Lynch Flying Service in 1985. I later worked for him at his accounting firm during several tax seasons. He was a wonderful pilot, friend and boss! Ray was always willing to help anyone in need of anything, you could always depend on Ray. He was so kind to me over so many years, he was a gem of a guy and I will never forget his unending kindness. Fly high my friend, you will be greatly missed! My deepest sympathies to Dorothy, Ray Jr and David.
PJ
Patricia Jam
Other •
Such good memories of our “Red Lodge Neighbors” Sending you love, Dorothy The Jam Family
LR
Laone Reeves
Other •
A sad schock, the very best of a neighbor, if you were fortunate enough to have Ray, you lived in the very best of those.
HM
Heather and Jason Mueller
Other •
Ray was our accountant for a few years and was always so kind and patient. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.