James E. Curtis

James Edward Curtis was born to the Rev. John Wesley Curtis, Sr. and Dora McSwain Curtis the seventh of eight children raised on a farm. There he developed a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for hard work. The family eventually moved to Mounds, IL where James and his siblings attended and graduated from Mounds Douglass High School. For a brief period, James attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, but found that he missed the country life. He returned to Mounds and in 1949, joined the Army for four years; was stationed in Korea and earned a National Defense Service Medal. After leaving the Army, James settled on the south side of Chicago and worked for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) as one of the first Black drivers on a north side bus route in Chicago. He attained both CDL A and Hazmat licenses and drove for Shell Oil company and National Tea Company. He was married for 58 years to the love of his life, Barbara Fagan, and had two daughters and a step-son. In Chicago, his hobbies were softball, bowling, and shopping the Maxwell Street Market for a famous polish sausage with onions. James was known in the neighborhood for his large garden and the camping trips he and his wife sponsored to mentor young men at a time the Black Stone Rangers gang was prevalent. Through one of those trips, the couple decided to leave the city and purchased five acres of land on the Kankakee River in Momence, IL. James enjoyed hunting on his land and loved planting and tending his garden which spanned a whole acre. Because all the Curtis siblings planted gardens, each year James would load a small rotor tiller on his truck and drive to Chicago to turn over his sibling’s soil. He could grow anything from watermelons to houseplants. James, an over-the-road driver with the CB handle “The Courtesy Man”, retired from Consolidated Freightways after fourteen years with a meritorious safety record. During retirement, James became an election judge for the city of Momence, IL as well as the Commander of VFW Post 7535 in Momence, IL. As an empty nester, James enjoyed retirement and would meet his wife at Delta Sigma Theta national conventions in Philadelphia, Miami, Las Vegas and New Orleans. His wife spoiled him rotten and would pack his suitcase and take it with her, so he arrived in each city with a smile and no luggage! After his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's they relocated to Indianapolis, IN, where his elder daughter and stepson resided. Later the younger daughter relocated to Indianapolis and the family was back together to provide support. James grew up attending small churches and always preferred them. After searching for a church home, God led him to Caldwell Chapel AME Zion. He drove his wife to church every Sunday and made himself at home. James never met a stranger, and loved telling jokes, the clean ones and their alternatives. He loved visiting his siblings in Chicago, IL and Gary, IN. Most evenings he could be found at the kitchen or dining room table reading his Bible. He led his family with quiet strength and his word was obeyed. He was super spoiled but a pure joy and is survived by: his son Michael Curtis, daughters, Jamyce Curtis Banks (Carlos) and Lisa Curtis, his stepson William Thompkins (Lorre), his grandchildren Cherie Ramage, Yvonne Thompkins Williams (Dewan), James Thompkins, Carlos Banks II (Adia) and Curtis Banks; his great grandchildren: Shawn Williams, Loryn Ramage, Bryce Williams, Dewan Williams, DeVon Williams, Barry Ramage, Larry Deon Williams, William Thompkins, Mya Thompkins, Jett Thompkins and Carlos Banks III; his great-great grandchild: Carter Williams. He will be missed by his caregiver Crystal Moore, fellow residents from NeighborCare of Chapel Hill, Independence Village, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a host of other friends. James was preceded in death by his wife, mother, father and all seven of his siblings. His family rejoices as he joins them in heaven.