Curtis John "CJ" Kjellman

1981 - 2015

HUDSON – Curtis John "CJ" Kjellman died Friday, May 22, 2015, as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Londonderry, while on his way to work. Known as "CJ" to most of his family and friends, he was born on March 27, 1981, in Martinez, Calif., and adopted by John V. and Eleanor Glynn Kjellman in March of 1985. He lived and went to school in Walnut Creek and Vacaville, Calif., then moved to Sunriver and Bend, Ore., before settling with his family in Henniker, in 1997. Most recently, he resided with his wife, Misty, and their three children in Hudson.

CJ attended John Stark Regional High School in the late 1990s and took classes at N.H. Technical Institute in Concord, following his graduation. He then joined the Army Reserve during the buildup to the Iraq War, and trained as a heavy equipment mechanic. He spent a year in Iraq and Kuwait as the mechanic on a firefighting team for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He ended his enlistment in the Army as a Specialist, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He was extremely proud of his military service.

He later attended Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he was awarded an Associate in Science degree in Computer Information Technology.

CJ had a wide variety of jobs over the years, reflecting in part his outgoing personality and his rapid adaptability to new situations and challenges. But at the end of a day he was a geek's geek, reveling in computers and related technology. He met his wife, Misty, in a database class at NHTI in 2009. Most recently, he was Engineering Manager of Software Development at Team EDA in Manchester.

CJ was a highly intelligent and very curious person, and was interested in studying almost everything. He studied the Japanese language and had a strong understanding of earlier civilizations and Asian religions. He was also an extremely talented classical piano player, as well as bass and guitar. His love of all things music was very well-known. His many accomplishments notwithstanding, it was CJ's love of family and friends, and especially his role as a father to his children, that most motivated him. CJs greatest dream was to become a father.

CJ passed away doing something he loved, riding his motorcycle. He took safety seriously and was an "all gear all the time" rider. He was always a strong advocate for being focused while driving and riding.

CJ was predeceased by his mother, Eleanor Glynn Kjellman.

He is survived by his wife, Misty Jo (Lucas); his daughter, Ryleigh Alexis (four years) and his twin sons, Liam John and Reese Curtis (18 months); his father, John V. Kjellman; his sister, Amy Kjellman and her daughter Kyla; his sister, Trinity Mott and her three children; his mother-in-law, Betty Davis-Ricker; and stepfather, Don Ricker; his father-in-law, Ken Lucas and his stepmother Deb Lucas; his brother-in-law, Jason Korolenko; his sister-in-law, Beth Lucas-Dantinne and her husband, Derek Dantinne; and several other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A service to memorialize and celebrate Curtis's life will be held Saturday, June 6, at 9 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, 274 Pleasant St., Concord. A reception will be held following the service.

CJ's ashes will be interred at the Henniker Cemetery, Old Concord Road, Henniker at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the fund established at www.GoFundMe.com for Curtis's children, "Handling Life After CJs Loss."

The Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium in Manchester is assisting the family. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit phaneuf.net.