Ret. Army MAJ Norman Curtiss

Retired Army Maj. Norman L Curtiss, 86, Clarksville, TN, died Monday at his residence after a long illness.

Celebration of Life will be held 12 noon on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home with Bro. Tommy Vallejos officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home. Burial and Full US Army Honors will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West. 

Born in Ballston Spa, NY, he was the son of the late William Schuyler Curtiss and Winnie Boyd Curtiss, the youngest of nine siblings and the husband of his bride of 64 years, June Thompson Curtiss.

While working as a John Deere mechanic and going to college at New York State University at Cobleskill, his dream of running a John Deere dealership was interrupted when drafted in late 1961. 

He soon finished his bachelor’s degree while on active duty and then completed a rigorous 23 week Officer Candidate Course in 1965. That was soon followed by Flight School in 1968 for 32 weeks.

 Soon after, he completed a tour of duty in Vietnam flying Chinooks. It was in a Chinook that he was flying, that he took enemy fire and skillfully managed to land the aircraft with five soldiers aboard safely and with no injuries.

 Of the many awards received during his time in service, he was most proud of his Bronze star. He retired with a rank of Major after almost 24 years of active duty. After retirement, he found a second career teaching college business and math classes that he loved as much as his first career.

 His favorite things to do when not with family were piloting a helicopter, gardening, woodworking, and playing golf. He loved family most of all and was loved by everyone who knew him.

 Survivors include wife June Curtiss, daughters Emily Cavanaugh, Pamela Stacey, Kathleen Sayle, son Douglas Curtiss, grandchildren Andrew Cavanaugh, Courtney Fall, Kevin Cavanaugh, Lexie Stacey, Maddie Stacey, Faith Sayle, Luke Sayle and great grandchildren Willow Fall, Millie Cavanaugh, Luka Cavanaugh, Harrison Fall and Ollie Cavanaugh. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that any donations be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/