Curtis Franklin Kite

Curtis Franklin Kite, 88, of Harrisonburg, Virginia passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025. Born November 3, 1936, in Shenandoah, he was the son of the late Curtis Aldene and Ruth Pauline Comer Kite.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Margie Tench Kite, on June 18, 2023.
Curtis was a longstanding resident, business owner, and civic contributor in Harrisonburg. He was raised in Comertown, where as a teenager he first embarked on a career in the automotive industry at Batman Pontiac in Shenandoah. After graduating from Shenandoah High School, Curtis completed his studies at the General Motors Institute, now known as Kettering University, and returned to the Valley with employment at Town & Country Motors.
In the 1970's his career expanded, as he taught auto mechanics at Massanutten Technical Center and co-founded Star Auto Mart with his friend Jimmy Harper. He reached the pinnacle of his career owning and operating Curtis Kite Buick, Pontiac & GMC in Downtown Harrisonburg. After selling his business, he enjoyed "retirement" as a salesperson at Joe Bowman Chevrolet.
Beyond the automotive industry, Curtis found great joy in banking. Nominated by his friend Bill Julias, he served as a Director of F&M Bank Massanutten, now known as Truist. Curtis proudly served in the National Guard and on the Harrisonburg City Council. And, oh how he loved country music, especially Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and George Jones.
Surviving is his beloved daughter, Beth Nicholson Kite. He cherished his cousins Sheila Cave, Gary Comer, Delores Ferrell, Jean Lucas, Sandra Price-Stroble, Marcia Robertson, Regena Whetzel, William H. Nicholson, Allen Nicholson, Will Nicholson, and Lisbeth Payne.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Mt. Lebanon Congregational Church in Shenandoah. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in Grove Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Margie Kite to Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation