Curtis was baptized at the age of ten at Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church by the late Reverend O.S. Jones while the church was still located on 10th Street. Curtis faithfully served as a choir member, Sunday School student, Media Ministry Leader and Ordained Deacon under the late Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Emanuel A. Johnson and the current pastor, Reverend Donald W. Givens, until his passing on April 12, 2019.
Curtis enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 10, 1965 and retired honorably on March 31, 1988. He achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. During his time in the military, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam, served on three continents, and was awarded numerous medals, badges and citations for meritorious service.
Upon his retirement from the military, Curtis returned to Kansas City and became a dutiful advocate for veteran’s affairs, which he continued throughout the remainder of his life. His efforts resulted in being appointed to the planning and advisory committee for the St. Michael’s Veteran’s Center Apartments. He also enjoyed a second career as an Electrical Engineer with the United States Postal Service, retiring after twenty years of service.
Curtis enjoyed traveling to visit his children and family, renovating houses with his son, tinkering in his tool-filled garage, listening to gospel music, jazz and public radio, and above all, reading the Bible and spending time with his Heavenly Father through prayer. His family, church family and friends will always remember him as a humble, wise, gentle and loving person who consistently lived his faith in word and deed.
Curtis is survived by his devoted wife, Hattie Jones; his five children, Rhonda Walker of Belton, TX; Demetria Jones-Smith (Fred Jeff) of Baton Rouge, LA; Sonya Patrick of Seattle, WA; Christine Jones and Curtis Lee Jones III. He is also survived by three sisters, Beverly Foster of St. Louis, MO; Brenda Thomas; Renee Jones, one brother, Joseph Stephon Ross; four aunts, Cleo Jones Houston and MaryAnn Foster of Wichita, KS, and Marie Garner and Henrietta Carson of Las Vegas, NV and one mother-in-law, Ora Roby. Additionally, he leaves behind eight grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other family members, friends and associates to cherish his memory. He was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Lee Jones Sr., his mother, Leola Jones Ross, his second father, Joseph Willie Ross and his sister, Wanda McClain Grant.
