Joel Leonard Curtis

Joel Leonard Curtis passed away on March 9, 2025, at the age of 75.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Frist Presbyterian Church in Derby, Kansas.

Joel was born on May 6, 1949, and raised in Liberal, Kansas. He graduated from Liberal High School in 1967, after which he served in the United States Army. Joel was later honorably discharged in 1970 with a National Defense Service Medal. He worked for many years first at Harding Glass and then in the natural gas industry, retiring as a Measurement Tech in 2008.

Joel was preceded in death by his wife of 46 (almost 47) years, Leigh Ann (Horney) Curtis, his parents, Joel Clint (J.C.) and Velma (Raines) Curtis, sisters Raenola (Mike) Hanson and Betty Curtis, and his son-in-law Richard Cupp.

He is survived by two children, Heather Cupp of Woodward, OK, and Tyler (Melanie) Curtis of Emporia, KS; four grandchildren, Brennon (Schylar) & Bryant (Esperanza) Cupp and Allison & Caroline Curtis; sister Lois Baker of McPherson, KS; brother Steve (Lea Ann) Curtis of Topeka, KS; and loving extended family members and friends.

He was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He had many close friends throughout his life who were all considered part of the Curtis family. He enjoyed cars, fishing, music, playing cards, gardening, church activities, and Bible studies.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church in Derby or the Presbyterian Manor in Emporia maybe sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas, 66801.