Daniel Paul Curtis

Dan Curtis, our rock, was called home by his Creator on Friday, May 19th, 2023. It was not before rescuing one last stranded kid with a broken down car and having one more picnic lunch with his wife. This man loved a “hunk” lunch and was AAA before AAA.

Standing at 6'2”, Daniel Paul Curtis was always a presence in a room. He was handsome; mom has good taste. He had hands strong enough to strangle a bear but used them to squeeze your shoulder and let you know the world was a little safer with him there. We all knew he loved us with an enduring love.

Dan was born in Arkansas to Mr. Orville Benjamin Curtis and Mrs. Mary Magdalen Curtis (Stark). Second of four children, whose father died when he was five, his homemaker mother went back to school to provide for her children. Daniel learned from his mom who was calm, loving, giving, and most of all, real. It seemed all the Curtis siblings captured this same authenticity. One might hear them say, “Like it or lump it,” “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” or “You can’t beat a dead horse.” Translation: Life is hard; let’s focus on the good: we have each other.

After being raised in California and serving in the U.S. Navy, Danny met Terrianne Gravelle in 1975. She was a vibrant, outgoing, clever waitress. He was a quiet Harley-riding man. She knew his order by heart. Though they were complete opposites, they were a perfect match. They built a life together.

Daniel had an engineer’s mind, a football player's body, and a pastor’s heart with a pioneer spirit. He played football in high school. After graduation, he went into the Navy as a ship’s boiler operator, during the Vietnam War. Post military service, Dan “the fix it man,” had an early career in motorcycles and engine mechanics. He had a thrilling story of “laying down” a police bike on a busy L.A. freeway, in a controlled high speed fall because the bike failed on a maintenance test drive. He survived those years and went on for more adventures which included homesteading with his wife and three young children on forty acres in the California Sierras. The homestead years were profound and life-changing but he was willing to give them up to return back to S.O. Cal to attend and earn his college degree in Theology. Dan used his degree to preach and teach. He was ready with an answer for those who wanted to know his hope in Christ. In 1992, the family settled in Oregon. Dan and Terrianne were part of two church communities in Salem Oregon: Bethel Baptist Church and Calvary Chapel. Together they raised their children in the Keizer area, both working tirelessly and creatively to make a better life for their kids. Dan’s gifts of ingenuity, artistry, perseverance, and compassion carry on in his children. His children will miss dropping by to visit their dad to tell him about their current project or problem. Dan was a faithful man who cherished his wife and children.

Over 47 years of marriage there was time for great joy and pain, which included the birth of eight children and the loss of their six-year-old son, Samuel Curtis. Danny’s living legacy includes his wife, Terrianne Curtis; son, Nathan Curtis and daughter-in-law, Kari Curtis; grandchildren Claire, Everett, and Ingrid Curtis; daughter, Anna Kumpula and son-in-law, Matthew Kumpula; grandchildren, Maddie, Abbie, Samuel, Zibby, William, and Isaac Kumpula; daughter, Danielle Curtis; son, Joseph Curtis; son, Jonathan Curtis; daughter, Melissa Curtis; son, Austin Curtis.

Brothers Mike and Joe are left to carry on the Curtis witty, blunt and loving charm. Their beloved sister, Carolyn Marychild, passed away in 2009. Dan will further be missed by extended nieces, nephews, and in-laws from both the Curtis and Gravelle family lines.

When he suffered a massive heart attack, he was given immediate medical care. We had a brief hope that his life would be extended, but the truth was soon revealed. We were given time to gather all the siblings to say goodbye for now.

A Memorial Service will be held at Calvary Chapel (1550 Hoffman Rd NE, Salem, OR) on Thursday, June 1st at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, Oregon Chapter, 3700 Silverton Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305.