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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF HORACE BROGDON CURTIS, JR., OF SUMTER COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was saddened to learn of the death of Horace Brogdon Curtis, Jr., at the age of ninety-three on February 24, 2021; and
Whereas, born in Sumter on September 17, 1927, he was the son of Horace Brogdon and Eleanor Girard Kolb Curtis; and
Whereas, upon his graduation from high school, Mr. Curtis entered Clemson College in 1944, shortly before his seventeenth birthday, and completed freshman courses in engineering before volunteering for service in the United States Navy in August 1945 at the close of World War II. He received an honorable discharge in August 1945 as Third Class Petty Officer, then reenlisted in the Naval Reserve for a four-year stint as Yeoman Third Class on inactive duty; and
Whereas, he returned to Clemson in the fall of 1946, transferring a year later to the University of South Carolina (UofSC) where he joined Kappa Sigma Fraternity and earned a bachelor's degree in 1949 in business administration; and
Whereas, Mr. Curtis returned home to assist in the operation of the family business, Sumter Music House, pending recall to active duty in the Navy in October 1950 during the Korean Conflict. He was discharged from extended enlistment in August 1951; and
Whereas, when he returned to Sumter in 1951, Mr. Curtis worked for Geo. H. Hurst & Sons until 1959, when he became manager of Sumter Office Supply Company; and
Whereas, in 1953, he and his beloved wife, the late Dorothy Juanita Freeman, were married, and together they reared four fine children: Helen Curtis Hatfield of Sumter, Stephen G. Curtis of Manning, Richard B. Curtis of Greenville, and Robert F. Curtis of Columbia, all of whom graduated from UofSC. They blessed their parents with twelve adoring grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, in 1961, Mr. Curtis began a career in local government serving as the city clerk and treasurer of the City of Sumter, retiring in 1990 having served thirteen years as city manager. He was a life member and past president of the South Carolina City-County Management Association, and was a former member of International City Management Association; and
Whereas, by appointment of the governor, he served consecutive terms on the State Deferred Compensation Commission, representing municipal employees until his retirement from the City of Sumter, whereupon he was appointed to represent retired public employees for several terms during the next ten years; and
Whereas, Mr. Curtis served his alma mater as a board member of the UofSC Alumni Association and of the UofSC Sumter Educational Foundation. He was a fifty-year member of American Legion Post 15; a member of the Sumter Optimist Club for some forty years, serving in various capacities, including president; a life member of Optimist International; and a member of the Advisory Board of the Sumter Chapter of the Salvation Army for more than twenty years, serving various offices, including board chairman; and
Whereas, he served as a past chairman of the Boys Club board and of the Henry Shelor District of the Boy Scouts of America and a term as advancement chairman for the Pee Dee Area Council; and
Whereas, for over fifty years, Mr. Curtis was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative board, on many committees, and as lay leader, choir member, Sunday School teacher, and a past-president of the FaHoLo Sunday School Class and of the Boyle Bible Class; and Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Horace Curtis and for the example of service and kindness he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Horace Brogdon Curtis, Jr., of Sumter County and extend their deepest sympathy to his loving family and his many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Horace Brogdon Curtis, Jr.
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