Mr. Kruse was born September 28, 1924 in Bowie County, Texas to Charlie and Ora Tidwell Kruse and passed from this life April 28, 2018 in Longview, Texas.
Curtis believed that education was vitally important. He fought for his education during a time when an education was much harder to come by.
He started his college education in 1940 by attending a machine short course at Kilgore College. Shortly thereafter in September of 1942 he was inducted into the Army Air Force, where he served in the 60th Air Depot Repair Squadron and was honorably discharged in December of 1946. Upon his discharge he returned to Kilgore College in 1946 and received his teaching certificate from Texas A&M University in 1948. In 1954 he accepted employment with PETEX in Austin, Texas. Thus began 32 years of employment with the University of Texas.
During this time Curtis was able to travel the world with his family doing what he loved, educating people in places that most can only imagine. Mr. Kruse retired as Director of PETEX in January of 1986. After retirement he and his beloved Robbie traveled and rebuilt and restored their Lincoln collection. He also loved walking in the woods. Curtis took the advice of Mr. Winston Churchill, who said “ never, never, never, give in”, even in his advanced age he was active until the very end.
Curtis is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Karen Dollahite, a granddaughter, Leisa Smith, one sister and three brothers. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his Most Beautiful Girl, Robbie Kruse; daughter, Sheila Hayes and husband Robert; son-in-law, John Dollahite; grandsons, Curtis Ray Klima; Jeramy Hayes and wife Cheri; and grandson-in-law, Scott Smith; great granddaughters, Kamryn Jones; Karlie Smith and Kaylan Jones; great grandson, Brandon Hayes; one sister, Shirley Quass and husband Norman; sister-n-law, Annell Langston and husband Jim; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive guests for a brief time after the services.
