Curtis Oppermann

1947 - 2012

SHERMAN - Curtis L. Oppermann Jr., 65, from Sherman died suddenly on March 25, 2012, in Amarillo while visiting family. Curtis is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Aleta Shearin Oppermann.

Curtis was born in 1947, in Three Rivers to Curtis and Martha Oppermann. He graduated from Pascal High School in Fort Worth and The University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

He was employed by the Texas Department of Transportation more than 31 years as a civil engineer with bridge and road construction as his specialty. After retiring from the state, he worked for Kellogg, Brown and Root as Project Manager and during that time was awarded the American Council of Engineering Companies Award for Excellence for his work on the George Bush Expressway in Dallas.

While at KBR, he was sent to New Orleans immediately after Hurricane Katrina to supervise the rebuilding of the levees at Plaquemines Parish. He spent four months in Louisiana and often spoke of the devastation there as one of the most unforgettable experiences of his career. His last employment was project engineer over the expansion of Highway 289 through Grayson County.

In addition to his wife, Curtis is also survived by his children, son, Trey Oppermann of Sherman; daughter, Trista Oppermann Bowden and husband Steve of Arlington, Andrew Oppermann of Arlington, and his other "sons" Rory McDonough and nephew Eric Judd; grandchildren Amanda Oppermann, Fort Worth, Tracy and Cordell Oppermann, Sherman. He is also survived by brothers, Harvey Oppermann and wife Lucy and Gary Oppermann and wife Joyceann of Fort Worth; mother-in-law, Doris Shearin of Sherman; sister and brother-in-law Jeanne and Bob Cummings of Sherman.

He was preceded in death by his parents Curtis and Martha Oppermann of Fort Worth, his sister Dianna Oppermann Hegeduis of Las Vegas, and infant son Hubert Oppermann.

Curtis loved playing dominoes, cards, baseball, and deep sea fishing and was active in the Boy Scouts with his sons and more recently his grandson. Often called Curt and also known as "Big O," he never met a stranger and leaves behind many friends he also considered his brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Waldo Funeral Home Chapel in Sherman. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. at Parkdale Cemetery in Arlington, Texas. Pastor Joseph Andrajack of Christ Lutheran Church in Amarillo will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Steve Bowden, Eric Judd, Rory McDonough, Lawrence Kelley, Doug Martindale, Bobby Shearin, Lloyd Bowden and Dennis Wade.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Keith Bibb, Don Mulder.

In lieu of flowers donation may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research at P.O. Box 4777 New York, NY 10163.

The online register book may be signed online at www.waldofuneralhome.com.