THEODORE MICHAEL "TED" CURTIS

1922 - 2011

Theodore "Ted" Michael Curtis went home to be with the Lord on March 28, 2011. He was born on May 15, 1922 to George and Anna Zukovich in the small coal-mining town of Clymer, PA. He was the youngest of six children.

Ted spent his early years in Clymer and then joined the Army for a short time. In 1951, he changed his last name from Zukovich to Curtis, a more American name. Ted worked at Packard Motor Company in Detroit, MI as a machinist.

In 1960, he moved to Seattle to work for Boeing. There he met and fell in love with Helen Marie Nelson. In 1963, they eloped to Ensenada, Mexico, and then spent their first years together in Camarillo, CA, where he worked for Northridge. In 1966, their only child, Valerie Anne was born. From 1973 to 1976, the family lived in Lake Havasu City, AZ, where Ted worked as a planner for Mccullough Chainsaw.

In 1976, the family moved to Lynnwood, WA, where he continued to work as a machinist. Ted retired early in 1985 due to a back injury. After his wife died, Ted moved to Mount Vernon in 2001 to be closer to his daughter. During the past 10 years, he enjoyed wintering in sunny Mesa, AZ.

Ted had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed knowing and discussing what was happening in the world, especially politics. He enjoyed playing golf and pool. Ted was handy and could repair almost anything, and enjoyed wood-working projects. He loved travelling with his wife and taking pictures. He loved a good meal, which was always best with dessert and a hot cup of Starbuck's coffee.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife Helen, and 4 siblings.

He is survived by his daughter Valerie and her husband Kennan Christensen of Mount Vernon, WA and sister Margaret Kubin of Wadsworth, Ohio.

A memorial service will be held on April 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm in the Fireside Hall of Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1515 E. College Way, Mt. Vernon, WA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity or Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Please share your thoughts of Ted and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.