Roger Dale Curtis

Roger Dale Curtis was born on February 25, 1954, to Ed and Jean Curtis of Greenville, Mississippi, the youngest of 2 rambunctious boys. The family had farmland in Halley, Arkansas, where Dale and his brother explored the delta bayous and worked the area farms. He attended high school in Dermott, where he was the Senior Class President and played football for the Dermott Rams.

A football scholarship to Arkansas Tech University led him to Russellville, where fell for a vivacious young woman, Betty Ethridge of Harrison. Dale and Betty were married August 7, 1976, and enjoyed a wide circle of friends in the Russellville area.

Soon after graduation, Dale embarked on a career with Farm Bureau Insurance, where for the next 40 years he devoted himself to serving the best interests of his clientele. Dale never knew a stranger. Everyone who came through his office door left a friend.

When Dale and Betty moved to Stuttgart, they became active members of the First Christian Church where they were instantly made welcome. Dale volunteered to serve on nearly every committee over the years and was greatly esteemed as a church elder.

While their church family has sustained them, nothing brought Dale more joy than the birth of their children John and Cara. A lifelong sportsman, Dale felt a particular affinity for the area’s waterways, which he shared with his family. He was thrilled to teach them how to swim, ski, and navigate the White River and just about every nearby creek and inlet. He made many happy memories serving as a coach for their sports teams, and cherished the hours spent duck hunting with John and his friends. Raydus Burton Keller became a second daughter, and Dale was honored to be her protector, mentor, and sometimes irritating……Dad.

His love of time spent on the water led him to his dream retirement plan. At the age of 68, Dale returned to school at National Park College to attain certification in Marine Motor Repair. As ever, Dale collected a boatload of new friends in the time it took to acquire this new set of skills.

Refusing to allow a cancer diagnosis to slow him down, Dale completed his training and opened a small repair shop. The community he’d built in Stuttgart rallied around him through years of treatment. Never one to let life get him down, Dale was boosted by the support of his church community, the Personal Pep Rally group, and the myriad friends and neighbors who’d basked in his warm smile and genuine, “Well, hey there. How are you doin’?” greetings.

Our beloved Dale passed peacefully on Wednesday, October 22 at his home, surrounded by his family, those prayers surrounded us with perfect peace.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betty Curtis, son John Christopher Curtis (Lauren) of Little Rock, daughter Cara Curtis of Stuttgart, bonus daughter Raydus Burton Keller (Bobby) of Rogers, grandchildren Owen Curtis, and Collin Curtis, brother David Curtis (Melissa) of Dumas, and sister Jennifer Heath (Gerald) of Prescott.

A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, October 28, at First Christian Church in Stuttgart. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary with the service to follow at 2 p.m. Pastor Joe Jorgenson will officiate with Jim Branson giving the eulogy.

The outpouring of support, encouragement, and love from the Arkansas Farm Bureau family the last two months in particular brought so much joy. Agents from counties all over the state made calls and visits. The agents and staff of Arkansas County Farm Bureau in DeWitt and Stuttgart honored Dale with one last White River evening, preparing and sharing a meal right on the banks just a few weeks ago. An incredible evening which the family will never forget.

The family would especially like to thank Personal Pep Rally, the staff of Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Baptist Health Stuttgart Hospital, Dr. Eddie Hord, and Hospice Homecare.

Suggested memorials are to First Christian Church Stuttgart, Personal Pep Rally, or a charity of one’s choice.