Rodney Laverne Curtis

Rodney L. Curtis, age 73, of Henderson Nevada, formerly of Austin, Minnesota and San Diego, California; passed away December 3, 2023 at a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rod was born in Austin, Minnesota to Russell Edward and Lois Mildred (Tabor) Curtis on September 3, 1950 at St. Olaf Hospital. Growing up, Rod enjoyed hunting, photography and whatever mischief he could get into. He attended Woodson Elementary School, Ellis Middle School, and Graduated from Austin High School in 1968.

Opposed to being drafted in the U.S. Army, Rod chose to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps on November 3, 1969. After completing boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Rod was sent to Motor Transport School at Camp Pendleton and upon graduation, received the military occupational specialty of 3531, motor vehicle operator. Assigned to the motor transport section of the base Military Police company, he was given the opportunity to continue his tour of duty as an Honorary Presidential Guard for California; he would guard Richard Nixon when he was in California. In June 1973, Rod was promoted to sergeant after less than four years duty, which was a rare achievement. On 2 November, he opted not to reenlist and, and after two years of reserve duty, Rod received a well-deserved Honorable Discharge.

Rod married Catherine Ames Curtis in San Diego, California. She had 3 small children; one girl and two boys that Rod claimed as his own. They made their home in Henderson, Nevada and had one more son together. They were later divorced but remained good friends.

When he moved to Las Vegas, Rod worked for the Golden Nugget Casino, Caesars Palace Casino and Dell Computers. He was into computers way before most of us had one. He continued to enjoy photography and creating videos. Rodney was a good man and will be missed by those who knew him.

Rod was preceded in death by his parents; son: Jacob (Jake) Matthew Curtis; grandson: Chase Curtis; sister: Katherine Curtis; and brothers: Alan Dean and Craig Arthur. Rod is survived by his sons: Clint Russell Curtis (Tesa Lusby) and Patrick Curtis (Michelle Molinaro); daughter: Michelle Lee Curtis; granddaughters: Samantha Curtis, Autumn (Curtis) Keith and her husband, Justin Keith; and Catie Curtis; grandsons: Ethan Hazan, Joshua Kittiss, Dylan Curtis, Darin Curtis, Eric Curtis, Brandon Curtis, Chase Curtis and Matthew Curtis; Siblings: Diane Cheryl and Ronnie Loesch, Mark Edward Curtis and Bridgette Kelly, Brendon Lee Curtis, Gloria Loraine Nash, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his best friend, Maurice Waldee.

Funeral services with Military Honors for Rodney will be Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. There will be an additional gathering of family and friends following the services at the Home of Clint Curtis, 2200 Thoroughbred Road, Henderson, NV 89002. Rod will be laid to rest privately at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.