Curtis Jo Asay

Curtis Jo Asay, age 59, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, surrounded by family and love. He had been courageously battling Lewy body dementia and other serious health conditions. Through it all, Curtis remained strong, kind, and full of heart.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Curtis was the beloved son of Jack Ralston Asay and the late Alice Marie (Middlestadt) Asay. He was lovingly adopted at the age of three and overcame an early life of hardship with incredible resilience and grace.

Curtis worked for many years as a corrections officer in Deming, New Mexico, before moving to Utah, where he lived out his dream of driving trucks across the country. He later retired due to health concerns. Curtis loved the open road, fishing trips, and riding Harley’s. He found joy in simple pleasures and treasured time with his family above all else.

He is survived by his daughters, Hannah Asay and Lauran Asay; his two cherished grandchildren, Paisley and Manuel; and his siblings: Rodney Asay (Lani), Greg Asay (Chris), Jeff Asay (Sheri), VaLynne Asay Bowers, and Daniele Asay.

Curtis was a gentle soul—kind, generous, and full of light. He was a peacemaker who never liked contention and rarely complained. He loved to joke, tease, and make people laugh—often seen in the halls of the care center teasing and playfully flirting with the nurses, always bringing a smile. At the assisted living center where he lived, he was known as the light in a heavy place. He had a giving heart and shared whatever he had with those around him—his roommate, his friends, and anyone in need. He truly lived with what mattered most: love, laughter, and the ability to make others feel special.

Above all, Curtis loved his grandchildren. His bond with little Paisley, who called him “Paw Paw” and FaceTimed him nearly every day, brought him more joy than anything else in the world. His children and grandchildren were his greatest treasures.

An open house celebration will be held at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 S 2200 W, Riverton, UT 84065, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All are welcome to stop by to support the family, share memories, and celebrate Curtis’s life. While there will be no viewing, as he has been cremated, this gathering is meant to offer comfort, connection, and remembrance.

A Celebration of Life for close family and friends will follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14650 S 3200 W, Bluffdale, UT 84065. There will be a short program with music, a few words of remembrance, and an open mic opportunity to share stories and memories. A family dinner will be provided afterward.

The family would like to thank Draper Rehabilitation and Care Center for their compassionate service and support over the past two years.

A very special and heartfelt thank-you goes to Curtis’s sister, Daniele Asay, who served as his primary caregiver for the past eight years. From the moment Curtis came to stay in Utah, Daniele was by his side—through countless hospital visits, ICU stays, appointments, and everyday care. Her love and dedication helped Curtis live with dignity, laughter, and comfort. She was his strongest advocate, his constant companion, and his fiercest protector. Daniele gave her whole heart, and the family is forever grateful.

We used to joke that Curtis had nine lives—and we even dressed him up as a cat one Halloween, crossing off each number as he defied the odds again and again. He really did use all nine of his lives to the fullest. His final resting place will reflect the cowboy spirit he was so proud of: a pair of boots, just like he asked. “I just want to go out with my boots on,” he would often say—and that’s exactly what he did. Just days before hospice care, he was surrounded by the grandchildren he adored. And when it was time, he took his oxygen mask off himself, with the quiet strength and peace that defined him.

Curtis was deeply loved and will be forever missed. His legacy of kindness and laughter lives on in all who knew him. Families are forever.