Curtis Eudean Smith's Obituary
Curtis Eudean Smith left his wheelchair and his earthly home and went Home to be with Jesus September 14, 2023 at the age of 77. Curtis was born May 28, 1946 in Appanoose County, Iowa, the first of five children born to Harold V. and Mabel G. (Bryant) Smith. At the age of about 16 months, he was hospitalized with an uncontrollable high fever and developed cerebral palsy as a result of the illness. He spent his early childhood years on the family farm south of Seymour, riding his tricycle and observing his father's farming operation. As he grew, he rode an adult tricycle made by his father, all around the farm. He developed a lifetime love of tractors as he watched his father work.
There were no special education classes in public school at that time, so at the age of 7, Curtis attended a hospital school in Iowa City and later transferred to Glenwood State Hospital School. He came home for holidays and summers where he spent most of his time outdoors on his tricycle. Because of Curtis, his parents banded with others and helped organize the Wayne County Association for Retarded Children to help Curtis and other children in the county who were mentally handicapped.
When Curtis completed his education, he lived for a while at Lakeview Manor in Glenwood, and then several years at the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella. In 1994 Curtis was able to move closer to home when the New Venture Group Home was built in Corydon. He began working at New Focus in Centerville where he packaged items for local factories. He was a diligent worker and always completed his goals. He later moved to Centerville to Zylpha Price House where he continued to enjoy the workshop at New Focus and also the many wonderful activities and opportunities that Centerville Community Betterment had to offer. He enjoyed wonderful trips with his friends to Branson and St. Louis. He enjoyed attending the adult daycare which he attended regularly after his retirement from New Focus in 2004. He loved bowling, making crafts, shopping, going to church, going to the movies, watching T.V., eating, and spending time with his friends and family. With the help of the staff of Zylpha Price House, he visited his family regularly. He loved to watch the great nieces and nephews at play and looking at family photos.
In 2017, Curtis moved to Centerville Specialty Care where he quickly made new friends and continued to enjoy his life. He really enjoyed all the activities and the care center staff who so kindly and lovingly assisted him in the last chapter of his earthly life.Curtis was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. He seemed always happy and smiling. He always strived to do the best that he could do and make the best of every situation. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents Earl and Amy Smith and Reo and Bessie Bryant, infant sister Shelly Janine Smith, brother Terry Wayne Smith, brother-in- law Dennis Dean Tuttle, and nephew, Joseph Wayne Smith. He is survived by his sisters Elaina Tuttle of rural Corydon and Wendy and husband Rich Choponis of Seymour; nieces Tracy (Teddy) Clark, Deanna (Gene) Parham, Kristi (Larry) Hornaday, Heather (Devon) Sharp, Tammy (Matt) Laverty, and Angela Smith, nephew Jeffrey (Krista) Tuttle, 8 great nieces, 10 great nephews, 1 great great niece, 1 great great nephew and several aunts, uncles, many cousins, and many friends.
Memorials may be given to Centerville Community Betterment and can be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home ATTN: Curtis Smith Family; 303 E. Jefferson St. P.O. Box 294, Corydon, Iowa, 50060. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com.
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