Curtis H. Mahla

Curtis (Curt) H. Mahla passed from this earth on August 29, 2021. Born March 6, 1925, in San Antonio, TX, he grew up on the Walsh Ranch in South San Antonio surrounded by his loving parents, Jack and Lottie (Walsh) Mahla, and many supportive aunts and uncles. He attended the Lone Star School run by his aunts and graduated from Harlandale High School at 16 years old.

During WWII Curt joined the Navy. Upon discharge, he completed his associates degree in aeronautical engineering in Oklahoma and eventually graduated from the University of Texas with a civil engineering degree. He later joined the Army, retiring after a successful career as a lieutenant colonel. As a civilian he made his way to Arkansas where he worked for the Highway Department and began a career with the civil service. While taking ballroom dance lessons in Little Rock, he went on a blind date with Lucille Furnatter, his future wife of 63 years.

Curt and Lucille settled in Cabot and raised their three children, Philip, Susan, and Sharon. He spent his time working at Little Rock Air Force Base, designing, and building a barn, tending the cattle, and attending church at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Feeling restless, in the early 1980s he moved his family to Anchorage, Alaska for a four-year stint at Elmendorf Air Force Base. It was an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, hunt and explore. While hunting on Kodiak Island he shot a record sized grizzly bear five times as it charged after him.

Curt and Lucille returned to San Antonio so he could finish out his career at Security Hill at Kelly Air Force Base. Both missed the country life of Arkansas, however, and their time in San Antonio was short. They spent the last 25 years enjoying their home in the country near Little Rock.

Curt was independent, charismatic, and frugal. Born before the Depression, he never threw out a bent nail. It could be straightened. If given the opportunity he would “dance a jig” for the entertainment of his grandkids or let them drive his beloved Bronco while sitting on his lap. He enjoyed being outdoors, and he and Lucille frequently took their Roadtrek to campsites across Arkansas enjoying the company of their many friends. Active in his 80s and 90s, he recently designed and built a retaining wall to protect his garage, placing the bricks himself. He was one of a kind.

Curt is predeceased by his wife, Lucille Mahla. He is survived by his children, son Philip Mahla of New York City and husband, Neil Printz; daughter Susan San Miguel of Austin and her husband, Will Dixon; daughter Sharon Pollock of San Antonio and her husband, Bruce Pollock. Grandchildren are Ariel San Miguel, Justin Pollock, Laura Pollock and Sean Dixon.

Funeral Services will be held October 4, 10:00 a.m. at Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery in North Little Rock, Arkansas.