JAMES O. CURTIS (w∴m∴ 1971-1972)
(deceased)

James Orion Curtis was born on August 24, 1924 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, moving to Houston in 1930. He received his education in the public school system of the city, graduating from Lamar High School in 1942. Afterwards, he attended the University of Houston.

During World War II, he served in the United States Coast Guard, seeing action in the Southwest Pacific theater of war. When discharged in 1946, he had attained the rank of Ship’s Cook First Class.

After the war, he was employed as a piping design draftsman with the O. L. Olson Company, and later as a piping supervisor with Brown & Root, Inc., from which company he retired in 1986 after eleven years of service.

He was married, with three daughters and 10 grandchildren.

Brother Curtis received the degrees in Freemasonry from Gray Lodge No. 329. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on July 10, 1946; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on January 8, 1947; and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on February 24, 1947. He is a charter member of Jacques DeMolay Lodge, and served as Worshipful Master in the 1971-1972 masonic year. He also served as Secretary of the lodge, first from 1972-1974, and then again from 1977-1982. In 1975, he was appointed to serve as the District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 30E. For his many and continuing services to the lodge, he was awarded the Golden Trowel in 1993.

Brother Curtis was a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery of the York Rite. He was also a member of the Shrine, the Grotto, and the Royal Order of Scotland.

Brother Curtis was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, having received the degrees from the Houston bodies in November 1961. He was a member of the Properties Committee, and served as its Chairman from 1986 to 1991. For his service and devotion to the Rite, he was invested with the rank and decoration of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1973, and coroneted an Inspector General Honorary of the Thirty-third Degree in 1985.

Brother Curtis passed away on December 15, 2000. His widow, Pat Curtis remains active in the Eastern Star. She currently resides with one of their daughters.