Obituary for Curtis Elmer Dane
Curtis Elmer Dane was born October 6, 1937, in Weatherford, Texas, to parents Burlie and Winona Dane. A small Texas town in the 1930’s and 1940’s, at the edge of the West, probably a little rough and tumble, Weatherford was in some ways a wonderful place to grow up as a Texas boy.
He attended school in Weatherford, graduating from Weatherford High School in May of 1956. Later that year, on December 24, 1956, he married Miss Martha Ann Simms, his high school sweetheart. That’s what people mostly did back then.
For a time, he worked for Montgomery Ward at the main store, warehouse and distribution center on West 7th St. in Fort Worth, Texas. That building, now called Montgomery Plaza, has since been converted to a large scale mixed residential, retail and restaurant development. As he recalled, it was not nearly such a nice place when he worked there.
Curtis was a United States Army veteran, serving in the reserves for three years beginning in July 1956. He followed this with three years of active duty service beginning in July of 1959. He received an honorable discharge on July 18, 1962. He spent part of his time in the service in Europe. At one point, on leave, he and one of his fellow soldiers may have taken an excursion and may have had a brief encounter with some very strong German beer. Or that could just be a rumor.
Daughter De Ann was born at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells on May 31, 1962, while Curtis was still in the US Army. After completing his military service later that year, the family moved to Fort Worth. Three years later, they moved once again, this time to Irving, Texas, where they have lived since1965. On May 8, 1972, the family welcomed a new addition, son Gregory Brian. They lived in a small house they had bought for several years, but now there was a need for more space. In 1972, Curtis and Martha built the house they still own, moving in on Martha’s birthday that year. The new house provided much needed extra room and was designed to more easily enable mobility for Martha.
In 1967, Curtis joined the Irving Fire Department. He was a firefighter and really loved being a part of the IFD. So much so, that after retiring, he would return from time to time to his former fire stations to visit with and harass the current crop of young fire fighters. I’m sure he told them how superior the fire fighters were in his day. De recalls helping out as an official Fire Hydrant Spotter, riding around town with her parents in those early days as her dad learned the layout of a then much smaller Irving, noting especially the locations of the city’s fire hydrants for future reference. Firemen had to know those things. Curtis retired from the IFD in 1992 with the rank of captain.
Those who knew him would probably agree that he was somewhat injury prone. It seemed he was always getting a cut, a scrape or a bruise or breaking a bone….or two. The last one was a real doozy. Returning home after going out to get some lunch, he dropped the Styrofoam cup he was carrying, slipped on the spilled iced tea, and ended up falling down and shattering his right elbow. Unfortunately, the surgical repairs were not a success and the arm had to be removed from the elbow down. It couldn’t have been the left arm; it’s extremely difficult for a ”righty” to become a “lefty” at the ripe old age of 80.
One thing is certain – family was very important to Grandpa Curtis. De used to talk about the frequent trips to Weatherford to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Once grandchildren arrived on the scene, they became a big deal. Many were the good times at birthdays, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas….especially Christmas. The little people were certainly spoiled. Some of the best memories were of breakfasts together on Sunday mornings, generally after church, and for a number of years at Joe’s Coffee Shop. The group kept expanding. With great-grandchildren added to the mix, we took up some space and usually had to wait for a table….or three. The best part, family togetherness. The second best part, Curtis always picked up the check.
Finally, it’s safe to say he had bit of a stubborn streak. Perhaps in part that’s why we’re here. It seems he was determined to live life as he wanted, to do it his way. On balance, over the years, that worked out pretty well. It wasn’t always neat and tidy. Recently, we would have preferred that he stay in his room at the rehab center, wear a mask, avoid contact with other people….follow instructions. But that’s not how he wanted to go about it. He found ways to annoy each of us at one time or another. But we will certainly miss him.
Mr. Dane was preceded in death by parents Burlie and Winona Dane of Weatherford and son Gregory Brian Dane of Irving. He is survived by Martha Dane, his wife of 63 years, daughter De Ann Boyd and husband Brian, sister De Tanner and husband Ed, grand-daughters Audrey Herrington and husband James, Meghan Roten and husband Eric, Meridith Boyd and great grand-children Tuesday and Emerson Herrington, Evelyn, Olivia and Avery Roten and Cadence Kellett.
He attended school in Weatherford, graduating from Weatherford High School in May of 1956. Later that year, on December 24, 1956, he married Miss Martha Ann Simms, his high school sweetheart. That’s what people mostly did back then.
For a time, he worked for Montgomery Ward at the main store, warehouse and distribution center on West 7th St. in Fort Worth, Texas. That building, now called Montgomery Plaza, has since been converted to a large scale mixed residential, retail and restaurant development. As he recalled, it was not nearly such a nice place when he worked there.
Curtis was a United States Army veteran, serving in the reserves for three years beginning in July 1956. He followed this with three years of active duty service beginning in July of 1959. He received an honorable discharge on July 18, 1962. He spent part of his time in the service in Europe. At one point, on leave, he and one of his fellow soldiers may have taken an excursion and may have had a brief encounter with some very strong German beer. Or that could just be a rumor.
Daughter De Ann was born at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells on May 31, 1962, while Curtis was still in the US Army. After completing his military service later that year, the family moved to Fort Worth. Three years later, they moved once again, this time to Irving, Texas, where they have lived since1965. On May 8, 1972, the family welcomed a new addition, son Gregory Brian. They lived in a small house they had bought for several years, but now there was a need for more space. In 1972, Curtis and Martha built the house they still own, moving in on Martha’s birthday that year. The new house provided much needed extra room and was designed to more easily enable mobility for Martha.
In 1967, Curtis joined the Irving Fire Department. He was a firefighter and really loved being a part of the IFD. So much so, that after retiring, he would return from time to time to his former fire stations to visit with and harass the current crop of young fire fighters. I’m sure he told them how superior the fire fighters were in his day. De recalls helping out as an official Fire Hydrant Spotter, riding around town with her parents in those early days as her dad learned the layout of a then much smaller Irving, noting especially the locations of the city’s fire hydrants for future reference. Firemen had to know those things. Curtis retired from the IFD in 1992 with the rank of captain.
Those who knew him would probably agree that he was somewhat injury prone. It seemed he was always getting a cut, a scrape or a bruise or breaking a bone….or two. The last one was a real doozy. Returning home after going out to get some lunch, he dropped the Styrofoam cup he was carrying, slipped on the spilled iced tea, and ended up falling down and shattering his right elbow. Unfortunately, the surgical repairs were not a success and the arm had to be removed from the elbow down. It couldn’t have been the left arm; it’s extremely difficult for a ”righty” to become a “lefty” at the ripe old age of 80.
One thing is certain – family was very important to Grandpa Curtis. De used to talk about the frequent trips to Weatherford to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Once grandchildren arrived on the scene, they became a big deal. Many were the good times at birthdays, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas….especially Christmas. The little people were certainly spoiled. Some of the best memories were of breakfasts together on Sunday mornings, generally after church, and for a number of years at Joe’s Coffee Shop. The group kept expanding. With great-grandchildren added to the mix, we took up some space and usually had to wait for a table….or three. The best part, family togetherness. The second best part, Curtis always picked up the check.
Finally, it’s safe to say he had bit of a stubborn streak. Perhaps in part that’s why we’re here. It seems he was determined to live life as he wanted, to do it his way. On balance, over the years, that worked out pretty well. It wasn’t always neat and tidy. Recently, we would have preferred that he stay in his room at the rehab center, wear a mask, avoid contact with other people….follow instructions. But that’s not how he wanted to go about it. He found ways to annoy each of us at one time or another. But we will certainly miss him.
Mr. Dane was preceded in death by parents Burlie and Winona Dane of Weatherford and son Gregory Brian Dane of Irving. He is survived by Martha Dane, his wife of 63 years, daughter De Ann Boyd and husband Brian, sister De Tanner and husband Ed, grand-daughters Audrey Herrington and husband James, Meghan Roten and husband Eric, Meridith Boyd and great grand-children Tuesday and Emerson Herrington, Evelyn, Olivia and Avery Roten and Cadence Kellett.