Jay Brent Curtis

Jay Brent Curtis died December 19, 2024 at his home in Springville, Utah where he lived most of his 75-year life. He was born August 28, 1949, the fifth of eight, to John Jack Curtis and Klea Merritt Curtis. Jack and Klea’s children are as follows, starting with the oldest: Phil, Charlotte, Steve, Robert, Brent, Paul, Clark, and Ann.

Brent grew up and attended grade schools in Springville, graduating from Springville High School. He spent summers swimming and was a team captain on the Springville Seals. His brothers could not keep up with him in the pool.

At age 19, he was drafted into military service, enrolled in the United States Marine Corp, and trained in San Diego, California. Brent served in active combat in the Vietnam War during 1969 and 1970. Machine gunner was his assigned specialty which required discipline and hard work—carrying a 90-pound pack, rifle, and ammo box through the jungle and defending fixed positions of his group. His letters disclosed his home sickness and hardships. One letter painted the scene outside his bunker:

 “There’s a harbor with small fishing boats on it. On the shoreline there are small villages. Behind the villages are mountains that shoot up 1,000 feet and some you can’t see in the clouds. There are waterfalls and small streams all over the mountains. The sunset is golden; the sunrise is the same. You can watch the fishermen stretch their nets halfway across the harbor and watch villagers carry wood from the mountains. The beauty of this place is unexplainable. Never in my life have I seen a place that has been so deadly but so beautiful at the same time. I must say, I’d rather be home than here though.”

Brent earned the rank of corporal and received medals and awards for combat action in addition to his rifle sharpshooter badge.

After returning home, Brent married Mary Elen Crandall in the Provo Temple in 1972. Together they had one daughter, Mary Jane. They later divorced.

Brent received a certificate in general construction from Utah Technical College at Provo in 1974. He worked in the construction industry for a few years.

Brent was employed for nearly 40 years at Robertson’s Marine with Calvin Robertson as a boat mechanic and was trained to service outboard motors.

Brent lived quietly, loving the outdoors—fishing trips to Mexico, watching wildlife and viewing the elk herds on the mountainside above Springville, biking, hiking, and camping. He liked to sketch. He particularly adored his cats, each named Snoop. Although He kept to himself, Brent was aware of what was happening around him and mindful of family members. You may have remembered Brent by his rough outward appearance or his gruff voice. Once you got to know him better, you would find that he had a kind, grateful heart, especially for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Phil and Robert.

Brent is survived by five siblings and their spouses—Charlotte (Dee) Thatcher of Mapleton, Steve (Vicky) of Hobble Creek, Paul (Marian) of Santaquin, Clark (Paula) of Springville, and Ann (Ray) Bartholomew of Springville—and a sister-in-law—Connie (Phil) Curtis of Springville.

The family wishes to thank friends who included Brent on vacations or gave him rides to local stores. We also thank Wheeler Mortuary and Springville public safety officers for their kind assistance.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to visit and spend time with an individual who may feel lonely or to help someone in need.

Graveside services will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.