Beachel Lee CURTIS

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Beachel Lee Curtis, age 72, was born July 14, 1939 and died September 14, 2011 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Curtis was retired from the United States Army where he served in Korea and Vietnam and was also chef/owner of Curtis' Restaurant from 1982-1983, a truck driver for Toby Donalson's Trucking from 1995-2005 and a member of the VFW. He was the son of the late Arthur Martin and Myrtle Dodson Curtis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Tony and Rodean Curtis; sister, Icalee Curtis Dowell; sister-in-law, Helen Nunley Curtis and brother-in-law, Murlyn Dowell. He was married April 21, 1984 to Melba Jean Rogers Curtis of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, LTC, USAF Beachel Sean and Temera Curtis of Phoenix, AZ and LTC (Ret) Joseph Shane and Debbie Curtis of Lansing, KS; four step-children, Dwayne Brown and wife Sheila of McMinnville, Carolos Brown of Lavergne, TN, Dondi Volz of McKinney, TX and Rick Stacy; ten grandchildren, Nichole Smith and husband JJ, Dustin Brown, McKenna Curtis, Mariah Curtis, Jack Curtis, Max Curtis, Paul Curtis, Ian Cathcart, Alex Cathcart and Ricky Stacey; two great-grandchildren, Alyz Smith and Aniston Smith; two brothers and sister-in-law, Avery and Teresa Curtis and Cleston Curtis both of McMinnville; sister and brother-in-law, Clema and Charles Owen of Laredo, TX; twelve nieces, Carylene Dowell Gentry, Sue Dowell Butler, Janice Dowell Wells, Joyce Dowell Bieger, Cheryl Curtis Hitchcock, Elaine Curtis Lawson, Valerie Owen Shirley, Amy Owen Lozano, Keri Curtis Morton, Kristi Curtis Judkins, Michelle Curtis Priest and Tanya Owen; three nephews, Darryl Curtis, Joe Curtis and Anthony Curtis; thirty-five great-nieces and great-nephews, six great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews and very special friend, Toby Donalson of McMinnville. Funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 17, 2011 in High's Chapel with James E. Bond officiating. Burial followed in the Center Hill Cemetery @ Hills Creek with full military honors administered by the VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Memorial contributions may be made to the Curtis Family Relay For Life Team c/o High's.