Glenn Howard Curtis Sr.

Glenn Howard Curtis Sr, born July 25, 1930 in Burke, Virginia, went to heaven on May 3, 2025. Glenn was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and a firm believer in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Glenn served as a volunteer firefighter in Burke, where he and his brother, Marshall, helped build the first original Burke Fire Department. (Marshall became the first paid firefighter in the Burke department.) Glenn worked in geological test borings for a short time, which made a lasting impact on him as he loved to tell stories from his test boring days. After being drafted by President Truman (as he would say) he served in the Army during the Korean War. Returning from the Korean War, he began his lifelong career as a professional firefighter with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, where he served from 1956 - 1982. Glenn was assigned number 33 in the fire department and proudly carried his badge until his final days. Even after retirement, Glenn always stayed busy, helping around the house/yard and on the family farm with bushhogging or gardening, helping anyone broken down on the side of the road and in later years, helping his sons with Freedom Tree Service, sharpening blades, splitting wood, using his chain saw to clear out debris, etc. His love for splitting wood carried through his entire life; even as late as the fall of 2024 at the age of 94, he could still be found splitting wood with his own axe and maul. While always having an affinity towards dogs, Glenn grew to love and care for all the families’ household pets. Glenn was a long time member and usher at Capital Baptist Church, in Annandale, Va.

Glenn was married to his first wife, Mary Lou Thompson Curtis for 38 years. Raising four kids on a firefighter income in Fairfax City was no easy task, but he and Mary Lou were very frugal and disciplined with managing their assets. They worked hard, were committed to attending church every Sunday with their children without exception and making time for their family by being involved and supportive in various sports and taking annual local vacations (usually camping or hiking). They instilled these same values and love for the Lord in their children. After Mary Lou’s untimely death in 1995, Glenn remarried a wonderful woman, Elizabeth “Betty” DeWitt. Glenn spent some of the happiest years of his life with Betty, traveling to Switzerland, taking a cruise, playing golf and bridge, and just being together. Betty and her son and daughter were welcome additions to the Curtis family!

Glenn is survived by his sister Barbara C. Young, his four children Lucille Brannock (Keith), Ginny Williams (Bill), Howard Curtis (Beth), Johnny Curtis (Karen) and two stepchildren John DeWitt (Annette) and Diane Cherry (Rodney), 20 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many more beloved extended family members!

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 16 at 11 AM at Capital Baptist Church in Annandale Virginia, with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of two causes that dad cared about with the message "In memory of Glenn Curtis.". Nevus Outreach (One of Glenn’s great granddaughters was born with this very rare condition) or Friends of Homeless Animals Virginia (FOHA).