The Reverend James Wallace Curtis
November 5, 1920 - September 5, 2006
The Reverend James Wallace Curtis died at his home in Fennville this morning. Father Curtis was born in St. Louis, MO the son of Edward and Isabel Curtis. He graduated from Dartmouth University in 1942 with a degree in botany and served in the US Navy in the submarine service. During a leave he married his sweetheart Mary Ann Johnson on November 25, 1943. Following the war, Jim returned to Michigan where he and Mary Ann started a farm. He became secretary treasurer of the Allegan County Farm Bureau aand set up the first soil testing for Allegan County.November 5, 1920 - September 5, 2006
Father Curtis was supported for ordination by the people of All Saints, Saugatuck. His priestly formation was guided by the Reverend William Warner of Grace Church, Holland. He was ordained on St. Barnabas’ Day in 1953 by The Rt. Rev. Lewis B. Whittemore. Father Curtis served as rector at All Saints in Saugatuck from his ordination to 1955 and then served for many years in the Diocese of Northern Indiana. Upon his return to Michigan Jim served the congregations of Epiphany in South Haven; All Saints, Saugatuck; St. Michael’s, Cascade; St. Augustine’s, Benton Harbor; Grace Church, Grand Rapids; St. Barnabas’, Portage; and Good Shepherd, Allegan.
Father Curtis also served as chaplain in the military and to the Gary Indiana police force. He was a past member of the Diocesan Executive Council. Jim was a noted athlete competing in a number of Iron Man Triathlons even into his seventies. During his years in Gary, Indiana he and Mary Ann worked for social and racial equality, and Jim was noted as saying, “We can’t waste time with prejudice of any kind.”
Funeral services are being planned at All Saints Church, Saugatuck on Friday, September 8, 2006 at one o’clock in the afternoon. Father Curits is survived by his beloved wife Mary Ann. They had five children: James, Jr., Betsy, Helen, Dorothy, and Bob.