Joe David Curtis

Joe David Curtis, born on May 9, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, went peacefully to be with The Lord on July 31, 2024. Joe was the son of Margaret (Maggie) Pasqua Curtis and Thomas Floyd Curtis. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, he was thrilled to receive a full scholarship to Sam Houston State University to play baseball. There, he loved pitching for the Bear Kats, studying accounting, attending ATO fraternity events, and most of all, falling in love with his beautiful wife Virginia (Ginger).

Joe was also a Company Commander of Sam Houston’s ROTC — and upon graduating, he was proud to be commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He served six months in active duty and eight years in the reserves before being honorably discharged. Joe was a proud American and taught his family that freedom doesn’t come free.

Joe and Ginger loved raising their family in Dallas, where Joe was an extremely active and beloved father. He coached his sons Mark and Steve in baseball, cheered his daughter Shannon on in swimming, and taught all three of them to play tennis. Joe was a gifted tennis player himself — some of his favorite memories were of weekends spent at Royal Oaks playing mixed doubles with friends. He later went on to win a Bronze Medal at the Senior Olympics. Joe was an avid golfer and taught his son Mark how to play and enjoyed outings with friends, family, and especially his brother-in-law Troy.

In addition to his shrewd business instincts, Joe was extremely creative. His range of skills has caused his family to joke that they’ll never know exactly how many jobs he held over the years. Joe was the editor of several internal company magazines, worked in marketing for Raytheon, and served as the National Sales and Marketing manager for Frito Lay (his most important role in the eyes of his children — it allowed him to bring home the latest and greatest chips before they hit shelves). Joe also started his own advertising agency, ran a billboard company, was a brilliant and passionate investor, owned a pine tree farm in East Texas, and later started Curtis Custom Homes in Galveston.

After retiring, Joe and his wife Ginger bought a house in Galveston’s Pirates Beach, where they made many lifelong friends and cherished family memories. Here, Joe enjoyed nature photography and birdwatching, playing golf and tennis at Galveston Country Club, going on cruises with their friends and being gracious hosts to countless friends and family members.

Joe was a lifelog Christian and devout believer. He attended Good Shepherd Episcopal in Dallas where he was honored to serve on the Vestry. After moving to Houston in 2022, Joe and Ginger joined St. Martin’s Episcopal Church where Joe enjoyed the Men’s Bible Study.

Joe never met a stranger. He was a natural-born leader, a proud American, and the life of the party at every age — traits that earned him the loving nickname of Fireball from friends. His wise advice, belly laughs, quick wit, and bear hugs will be missed dearly by so many. As Joe himself was known to say, parting is such sweet sorrow.

Joe is survived by his wife of 66 years that he loved dearly, Virginia Shannon Cammer Curtis; children Mark David Curtis and wife Lori Curtis and their son Alex Fiore, John Steven Curtis, and Shannon Curtis Talley and husband Chris Talley; granddaughter Maggie Talley Bain and husband Alex Bain; and many special nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his sister Nita Curtis Miller and husband Troy Miller.

A service will be held on Wednesday, August 21st at 2 p.m. at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church at 717 Sage Rd, Houston TX with The Reverend Gregory W. Cross officiating. Donations can be made in Joe’s name to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and to the American Heart Association.